In Maturín, Venezuela, thousands sang the Latin American country’s national anthem before facing Peru in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. On Tuesday, thousands of kilometers away, dozens of compatriots gathered in South Florida with the same goal: to support La Vinotinto despite the distance, holding onto a dream that transcends borders.
“Going to the World Cup would be a caress, a balm, a joy amid so many difficulties,” said sports journalist Fernando Petrocelli, who organized the event. “Look at this, so many Venezuelans gathered abroad. Surely, this was also replicated in Spain, Chile, Argentina.”
Petrocelli has followed the Venezuelan national team around the world and seen how this community refuses to give up on the dream of qualifying for a World Cup. The sentiment in Wynwood was no different.
“Witnessing our country in a World Cup would be almost as emotional as seeing it free again,” shared fan Jorge González.
Richard Páez, who coached the Venezuelan national team for more than six years, attended the event and was warmly received by the fans. Páez expressed the importance of La Vinotinto for the Venezuelan diaspora.
“La Vinotinto is more than just a soccer team. It is a national sentiment, a patriotic symbol,” stated Páez. “What we see here today, we see spread all over the world.”
Despite competing and coming close several times, the Venezuelan national team remains the only one of the 10 teams in its confederation that has never participated in a World Cup. Its people eagerly await their chance.
“My dad is in heaven and always dreamt of this moment,” said fan Jonathan Gomez. “Now we’re very close to qualifying for a World Cup.”
After a historic performance in the last Copa América, La Vinotinto failed to secure a win in the qualifiers during 2024, putting their qualification at risk.
At the end of the match, Venezuela defeated Peru, 1-0, and is currently in the only playoff spot — at least until June. Finishing in that position would allow them to keep fighting for their place in the world’s biggest soccer event.
“We’ve deserved this for a long time,” said Petrocelli. “Imagine what Venezuela in a World Cup would be like, but we have to take it step by step, we need to secure the playoff spot first.”
Through highs and lows, this community stands strong, proving that their resilient spirit endures to the end, no matter where in the world they may be.
