Venezuela Sacks Coach after the end of the World Cup.

Venezuela fired coach Fernando Batista on Wednesday evening, one day after the World Cup qualifying dream died and after an intervention by the President of the Land.

The news of the dismissal of Argentinian Batista, in addition to his entire back room staff, came after President Nicolas Maduro had called for a «restructuring of the technical staff».

That was 24 hours after Venezuela, known as the Vinotinto, was beaten at home 6-3 by neighbor Colombia, which ended the hope of first reaching a world cup.

«Yesterday we suffered a painful defeat,» said Maduro.

«The whole of Venezuela demands a restructuring of the technical staff of the Vinotinto, a reorganization of the strategy, of the doctrine, and of the line of fighting and hard work.»

The decision of the world’s administration of the sport, FIFA, to expand the World Cup 2026 in Noord -America from 32 to 48 teams, had stimulated the hope of teams such as Venezuela – the only side in the Conmebol Federation to never qualify for a final – to reach the Global Extravaganza for the first time.

Also read: Which teams have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 – Full list

But the defeat against Colombia meant that Bolivia-1-0 took the winner over five-time champion Brazil to a place in the Intercontinental Play-Offs.

Peru, whose hope for the qualification of the World Cup was finished before the final round of competitions, also fired his coach, Oscar Ibanez.

It ended the group stage with a miserable record of two victories and only six goals in addition to 10 defeats from the 18 games. Venezuela fired coach Fernando Batista on Wednesday evening, one day after the World Cup qualifying dream died and after an intervention by the President of the Land.

The news of the dismissal of Argentinian Batista, in addition to his entire back room staff, came after President Nicolas Maduro had called for a «restructuring of the technical staff».

That was 24 hours after Venezuela, known as the Vinotinto, was beaten at home 6-3 by neighbor Colombia, which ended the hope of first reaching a world cup.

«Yesterday we suffered a painful defeat,» said Maduro.

«The whole of Venezuela demands a restructuring of the technical staff of the Vinotinto, a reorganization of the strategy, of the doctrine, and of the line of fighting and hard work.»

The decision of the world’s administration of the sport, FIFA, to expand the World Cup 2026 in Noord -America from 32 to 48 teams, had stimulated the hope of teams such as Venezuela – the only side in the Conmebol Federation to never qualify for a final – to reach the Global Extravaganza for the first time.

But the defeat against Colombia meant that Bolivia-1-0 took the winner over five-time champion Brazil to a place in the Intercontinental Play-Offs.

Peru, whose hope for the qualification of the World Cup was finished before the final round of competitions, also fired his coach, Oscar Ibanez.

It ended the group stage with a miserable record of two victories and only six goals in addition to 10 defeats from the 18 games.

Published on September 11, 2025