Venezuela’s 2026 World Cup fate hinges on upcoming matches and the performance of rivals Bolivia and Peru, as the Vinotinto battles for a coveted spot in the expanded 48-team tournament. The qualifying campaign enters a critical phase with Venezuela needing favorable results to secure direct qualification or a potential repechage berth.
Currently positioned in fifth place in the CONMEBOL qualifying standings with 8 points, Venezuela’s path to the World Cup is complex.To automatically qualify, Venezuela must surpass at least two teams above them in the standings during the remaining six qualifying matches, scheduled through June 2025.Alternatively, a finish between fifth and sixth place could secure a spot in the CONMEBOL play-off for a final World Cup berth.
Specifically, Venezuela needs to either equal or better the results of both Bolivia and Peru in the remaining qualifiers. As of March 21, 2024, Bolivia and Peru are tied with 6 points each. Should both teams accumulate more points than Venezuela in the remaining matches, the vinotinto’s chances of qualification will diminish significantly. The qualifying schedule resumes in September 2024, with crucial matches against Argentina and Paraguay.
