Key Takeaways:
- Venezuela dismissed Fernando Batista after failing to secure a World Cup playoff spot, losing 3-6 to Colombia
- Peru parted company with Oscar Ibañez, who claimed just one victory from six matches as interim head coach during qualifiers
- Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay secured qualification for next summer’s World Cup
Venezuela’s Qualifying Campaign Falls Short
Fernando Batista’s tenure as Venezuela’s head coach came to an end following the national side’s unsuccessful bid to reach a World Cup playoff. Venezuela, the only CONMEBOL side never to have participated in the World Cup, entered the final round of qualifying needing a victory over Colombia to claim seventh in the standings – a position which would have secured them a playoff place. Batista’s team were defeated 3-6 by Colombia, while Bolivia recorded a 1-0 win over Brazil, overtaking Venezuela and seizing the final playoff spot. The Venezuelan Football Federation confirmed Batista, aged 55, had been relieved of his duties after 20 months in charge, citing, “due to the fact that the objectives for this cycle were not achieved.”
📌 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼 pic.twitter.com/iIdg26bBx7
— Federación Peruana de Fútbol (@TuFPF) September 10, 2025
Peru Seek New Direction after Finishing Ninth
Oscar Ibañez has also been dismissed from his post as Peru’s head coach following the side’s ninth-place finish in World Cup qualifying out of ten competing nations. Ibañez, aged 58, took charge as an interim appointment after the removal of Jorge Fossati. During his tenure, Peru secured just one win from six matches. Peru most recently featured in the World Cup in 2018, but this time fell well short of returning to the finals.
Qualifying Standings and Next Summer’s Competitors
Whilst Venezuela and Peru missed out, six South American nations succeeded in qualifying for next summer’s World Cup. Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay all earned their places in the sport’s most prestigious tournament.
