There's one country in the South American Football Confederation that has still never touched the World Cup stage...

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And that's Venezuela!

While the competition for World Cup slots in South America is notoriously brutal... it's also because baseball is uniquely popular in Venezuela.

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According to a 2014 sports survey in Venezuela, 80% of respondents preferred baseball while only 15% chose soccer. Baseball is overwhelmingly dominant.

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Over 400 Venezuelan players have made it to the MLB, the highest number in South America.

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As of 2025, they are ranked 5th in the WBSC World Rankings (1st in South America), proving their skills match the hype. It's said that this baseball craze is linked to the American oil industry. "In Venezuela, baseball is more than just a sport; it's a 'national shared ritual,' and its influence is so huge that baseball terminology has seeped into everyday language." - The Sporting Blog & Caracas Chronicles - So, who are some famous players from Venezuela?

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First, let's look at Miguel Cabrera. A living legend of Venezuelan baseball, he achieved the first Triple Crown (leading in HR, RBI, and AVG) in 45 years back in 2012. With over 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, he's one of the GOATs. (He's literally worshipped like a god in Venezuela lol).

Next is Ronald Acuña Jr., the guy who created the first-ever 40-70 club in MLB history in 2023 and became the unanimous MVP. He represents the present and future of Venezuelan baseball. Even so, great soccer players occasionally emerge from Venezuela, with Juan Arango being the prime example.

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Considered the greatest legend in Venezuelan soccer history, he was the key figure behind the country's first Copa America quarterfinals in 2007 and their first-ever semifinals in 2011. He played in Europe for 10 years, showing out at RCD Mallorca and Borussia Mönchengladbach during his prime. Other notable players include all-time top scorer Salomón Rondón and Serie A's Tomás Rincón. Despite the baseball focus, Venezuela has recently climbed to 48th in the FIFA rankings, chasing the dream of their first-ever World Cup appearance! (They started strong at 4th in the 2026 qualifiers... but eventually finished in 8th...)

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Vamos Vinotinto! - The cheering chant for the Venezuela national soccer team -