High hopes for Venezuela at Copa América 2024 after a wonderful start in World Cup Qualifiers

SEATTLE - Copa América 2024 will be the perfect opportunity for Venezuela to show the entire continent the progress they have made over the last 12 months or so. 'La Vinotinto' started off the 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers with three wins out of their first six games, the same amount of wins they got in all of the 2022 qualifying cycle (3-14-1 W-L-D).

Venezuela has looked rejuvenated ever since Fernando Batista took charge of the national team in March of 2023. His first game at the helm was a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia and since then, Venezuela has gotten a few good results along the way like a draw on the road against Brazil and a 3-0 win over Chile last October.

Sharing a group with Mexico, Ecuador and Jamaica, 'La Vinotinto' remains as one of the candidates to advance to the knockout stages from group B. In the last six Copa América editions, Venezuela has only failed to advance twice (2015 and 2021).

Venezuela's Copa América quick facts

Group: B

Best result: fourth place (2011); Venezuela has reached the quarterfinals in four of the six Copa América editions since 2007

Coach: Fernando Batista (appointed March 2023); 5-2-5 W-L-D record

Venezuela's all-time top scorer in Copa América: José Luis Dolgetta (6 goals)

Where is Venezuela playing?

Venezuela will debut in Copa América 2024 against Ecuador at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Four days later, they will face Mexico at the new SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and will close out the group stage with a game against Jamaica in Austin.

June 22: Ecuador vs Venezuela - Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara

June 26: Venezuela vs Mexico - SoFi Stadium, Inglewood

June 30: Jamaica vs Venezuela - Q2 Stadium, Austin

26-man list for Copa América

Venezuela announced its final 26-man squad for Copa América 2024 on June 15. Jhon Chancellor is the only player from the Venezuelan league to be selected.

Goalkeepers: Rafael Romo (CD Universidad Católica), Joel Graterol (Club América de Cali), José David Contreras (Águilas Doradas)

Defenders: Alexander González (Emelec), Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad), Nahuel Ferraresi (São Paulo), Yordan Osorio (Parma), Wilker Ángel (Criciúma), Christian Makoun (Anorthosis Famagusta), Jhon Chancellor (Metropolitanos), Miguel Navarro (Talleres)

Midfielders: José Andrés Martínez (Philadelphia Union), Cristian Cásseres Jr. (Toulouse), Yangel Herrera (Girona), Daniel Pereira (Austin FC), Telasco Segovia (Casa Pia), Tomás Rincón (Santos FC), Eduard Bello (Mazatlán), Kervin Andrade (Fortaleza), Matías Lacava (Vizela), Darwin Machís (Cádiz), Yeferson Soteldo (Gremio), Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo)

Forwards: Salomón Rondón (Pachuca), Jhonder Cádiz (Famalicao), and Eric Ramírez (Atlético Nacional).

Notable absence

Josef Martínez

The most notable absence for Venezuela will be without a doubt Josef Martínez, who will miss Copa América 2024 due to an injury. The CF Montréal star has been out since mid April with a knee injury and has missed each of the last 12 games for the MLS side.

Josef has been one of the figures for the Venezuelan national team ever since making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2011 and his 14 goals for 'La Vinotinto' rank fourth all-time.

Player to watch

Salomón Rondón

Even though Venezuela will be without Josef Martínez, the team's all-time top scorer will be available for Batista during Copa América 2024.

Salomón Rondón will lead the forward line for Venezuela after a magnificent season with Liga MX team Pachuca, where he scored 19 goals in 28 games played in all competitions.

Rondón finished the Clausura 2024 with eight goals, becoming the first Venezuelan in Liga MX history to win the award for top scorer. His two goals against Columbus Crew at the CONCACAF Champions Cup final helped Pachuca lift the title and earn a spot at the next FIFA Club World Cup.

Copa América 2024 will be Rondón's fifth appearance in the competition after missing the 2021 edition. In his 17 Copa América games, Rondón has scored four goals and, if he features for 'La Vinotinto' in all three group stage matches, Rondón would tie Juan Arango as the Venezuelans with the most Copa América games played all-time (Arango - 20).