The Venezuela Copa America 2024 squad has taken shape and is gearing up for the tournament.
While Venezuela's best-ever finish at Copa America came in 2011, when they managed to come fourth, La Vinotinto would be forgiven for having mild optimism heading into this summer's affair.
Indeed, drawn into a group containing Mexico, Ecuador and Jamaica could be a lot worse for the minnows, while they do have a few players in their squad capable of stepping up on the big stage.
Plus, Venezuela reached the quarter-finals after finishing second in their group the last time USA hosted the tournament in 2016, finishing level on points with Mexico and beating Uruguay and Jamaica to reach the knockouts. While they lost 4-1 to Argentina in the quarters, there's a reason to be positive for Venezuela.
Venezuela's squad
Venezuela Copa America 2024 squad: The full team
- GK: Rafael Romo (Universidad Católica)
- GK: Joel Graterol (América de Cali)
- GK: José Contreras (Águilas Doradas)
- DF: Alexander González (Emelec)
- DF: Jhon Chancellor (Metropolitanos)
- DF: Wilker Ángel (Criciúma)
- DF: Yordan Osorio (Parma)
- DF: Nahuel Ferraresi (Sao Paulo)
- DF: Miguel Navarro (Talleres)
- DF: Christian Makoun (Anorthosis Famagusta)
- DF: Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad)
- MF: Tomás Rincón (Santos)
- MF: Darwin Machís (Cádiz)
- MF: Yeferson Soteldo (Gremio)
- MF: Jefferson Savarino (Botafogo)
- MF: Yangel Herrera (Girona)
- MF: Cristian Cásseres (Toulouse)
- MF: José Martínez (Philadelphia Union)
- MF: Eduard Bello (Mazatlan)
- MF: Daniel Pereira (Austin FC)
- MF: Telasco Segovia (Casa Pia)
- MF: Kervin Andrade (Fortaleza)
- MF: Matías Lacava (Vizela)
- FW: Salomón Rondón (Pachuca)
- FW: Eric Ramirez (Atletico Nacional)
- FW: Jhonder Cádiz (Famalicão)
Venezuela fixtures and results
June 22: Ecuador v Venezuela, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, United States
June 26: Venezuela v Mexico, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, United States
June 30: Jamaica v Venezuela, Q2 Stadium, Austin, United States
Venezuela manager: Fernando Batista
The Venezuela national team is Batista's first job as head coach of a senior team, having previously worked with the junior age groups in both the Armenia and Argentina national setup. The Argentinian worked under Jose Pekerman for two years as the former manager's assistant, before being promoted in March 2023.
This will be the 53-year-old's first tournament as manager.
Venezuela's star player
Andre Carrillo
Though now 34, Rondon is still a handful when performing at his best. The towering centre-forward is undoubtedly Venezuela's best opportunity at scoring goals - even more so considering none of the other strikers in the latest squad has ever netted for the national team - meaning all the pressure will be on the former West Brom, Newcastle and Everton striker.
