The clash between the men’s soccer teams will have many more implications than a simple exhibition. USA (USA) and Venezuela next January 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Both squads will start 2025 with their sights set on next year’s World Cup.
The situation is a little more pressing for Vinotinto, because it has put all its heart into the fight to qualify for a World Cup for the first time in its history.
It is true that after a galloping start, Vinotinto fell to eighth place after having been in fourth place in the South American World Cup qualifiers. As is known, six teams will advance directly to the World Cup and the seventh will go to an intercontinental playoff.
Venezuela, however, has not lowered its level. Although they did not win any of their six qualifying matches in 2024, they tied at home with the continent’s big three, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil; and lost as a visitor against Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile.
La Vinotinto has 12 points and with six games remaining they need between 10 and 12 points to make their dream come true.
Venezuela’s next matches at home will be against Peru, Bolivia and Colombia and they must win all three; and will visit the leaders of the qualifying rounds, Ecuador, Uruguay and Argentina, where they will have to get at least one point.
The meeting with the United States will be the only time that Batista will be able to bring his players together in 2025 with a view to the restart of the qualifiers, which will be a double date in March. La Vinotinto will visit Ecuador and then host Peru.
United States situation
For its part, the Stars and Stripes squad, host of the 2026 World Cup, will begin its 2025 journey with the clash against Vinotinto with a view also to its participation in the final of the Nations League and the CONCACAF Gold Cup .
Their new coach, the Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, announced on Three Kings Day the 24 called up to start the training camp on January 7 at the sports complex of the Inter Miami. The calls belong to the MLS, because since it is not a FIFA date, the United States will not be able to count on its aces who play in clubs abroad.