Collected photo of Fernando Batista

CARACAS, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela sacked coach Fernando Batista on 
Wednesday night, a day after their World Cup qualification dream died and 
after an intervention by the country's president.

News of Argentine Batista's sacking, alongside his entire backroom staff, 
came after President Nicolas Maduro had called for a "restructuring of the 
technical staff".

That was 24 hours after Venezuela, known as the Vinotinto, were thumped 6-3 
at home by neighbours Colombia, ending their hopes of reaching a World Cup 
for the first time.

"Yesterday we suffered a painful defeat," said Maduro.

"All of Venezuela demands a restructuring of the technical staff of the 
Vinotinto, a reorganisation of the strategy, of the doctrine and of the line 
of combat and hard work."

The decision by the sport's world governing body FIFA to expand the 2026 
World Cup in North America from 32 to 48 teams had boosted the hopes of teams 
like Venezuela -- the only side in the CONMEBOL federation never to qualify 
for a finals -- to make it to the global extravaganza for the first time.

But their defeat to Colombia meant that Bolivia -- 1-0 winners over five-time 
champions Brazil -- pipped them to a place in the intercontinental play-offs.

Peru, whose hopes of World Cup qualification had ended before the final round 
of matches, also sacked their coach, Oscar Ibanez.

They finished the group stage with a miserable record of two wins and just 
six goals alongside 10 defeats from their 18 matches.