Venezuela will host Colombia on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, at the Estadio Monumental de Maturín (Monagas, VEN). According to official schedules, kickoff is set for 20:30 local time (Venezuela Time) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
Colombia has enough quality to edge it, though Venezuela will put up a strong fight, especially at home in CONMEBOL Qualifications.
The South American 2026 World Cup qualification holds great significance for both Venezuela and Colombia as it offers a pathway to the FIFA World Cup tournament.
Venezuela vs Colombia 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – key players, Match info, Predicted starting XIs, Prediction
Table of Contents
- Date & Time: Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Kickoff is at 8:30 PM local time (El Alto, Bolivia)
- Venue: Estadio Monumental de Maturín (Monagas, Venezuela)
Both teams typically employ similar formations (often variants of 4-3-3/4-2-3-1). Venezuela (coach Fernando Batista) tends to set up in a 4-3-3 with a lone striker flanked by wingers.
In their likely lineup against Argentina, for example, Batista used Salomón Rondón as target forward supported by Yeferson Soteldo on the left and Darwin Martínez (or Josef Martínez) on the right.
Midfield is usually anchored by veterans like Tomás Rincón or José Martínez, with Cristian Cásseres Jr. or Miguel Bello offering work rate in central or wide midfield.
Venezuela’s style is industrious and direct – they excel on transitions and set pieces thanks to Rondón’s aerial presence. Defensively, their fullbacks (e.g. Wilker Ángel, Andrés Ponce, Rolf Feltscher) and goalkeeper (Rafael Romo) must compensate for a midfield that can lack cohesion without injured Yangel Herrera.
Venezuela’s weaknesses include a low goalscoring rate beyond Rondón and occasional defensive lapses on counterattacks.
Colombia, under coach Néstor Lorenzo, often opts for a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. Recent lineups have included two defensive midfielders, such as Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Cuéllar, or Wilmar Barrios, with an advanced playmaker supporting a lone striker.
The predicted lineup features Camilo Vargas as goalkeeper; a defensive line of Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, Andrés Llinás (or Yerry Mina), and Kevin Mier (or Miguel Ángel Borja); a midfield trio consisting of Duván Zapata, Lerma, and Jhon Arias; and an attacking front with James Rodríguez, Jhon Córdoba, and Luis Díaz.
Colombia’s strength lies in a strong defensive setup and dynamic wing play, driven by the speed and flair of Luis Díaz and the playmaking skills of James Rodríguez. They excel at pressing high and look threatening on the counterattack.
However, Colombia’s recent form has been inconsistent (see below), and the team can struggle when isolated on the wings or if James and Díaz are well-contained.
Key Players:
Venezuela
The clear focal point is Salomón Rondón, the veteran striker (5 goals in qualifying) who wins headers and holds up play. On the flank, Yeferson Soteldo (creative left winger) is crucial.
FoxSports data lists him among Venezuela’s leaders in assists. Another attacker is striker Yeferson Martínez or Darwin Machís, who can drift inside.
In midfield, José Martínez and Cristian Cásseres Jr. provide grit, and Wilker Ángel (if fit) organizes the defense. (Also watch out for Jefferson Savarino, though he may start on the bench.) Defensively, goalkeeper Rafael Romo has been starting (due to Wuilker Faríñez’s absence).
Colombia
The Colombia captain, James Rodríguez, is the chief playmaker in midfield, expected to create chances with his passing and set pieces. Luis Díaz (Colombia’s top scorer with 7 goals) is a constant threat on the left wing.
The central defense of Davinson Sánchez and Andrés Llinás (or Yerson Mosquera returning from injury) is key to shutting down Venezuela’s attack. In midfield, Jefferson Lerma (holding) and Jhon Arias (box-to-box) will battle in the center. Up front, Jhon Córdoba or veteran Dayro Moreno (surprise call-up at age 39) will lead the line.
Colombia’s team data also highlights James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz as leaders, with Córdoba chipping in – together they form Colombia’s attacking core.
Team News & Recent Form:
Venezuela suffered a 3-0 away defeat at Argentina on Matchday 17. Coach Batista downplayed that loss (saying the focus will be on the Colombia game) and may rotate the squad, resting some starters.
Notably, winger Yangel Herrera is unavailable due to injury. Otherwise, Venezuela has no new major absences. Their qualifying form is mixed: they beat Bolivia (2-0) and Peru (1-0) in June 2025, but lost to Uruguay (2-0) and Chile (4-2) in away games, and drew 1-1 with Argentina earlier this cycle.
Colombia ended Matchday 17 with a 3-0 home win over Bolivia. They had a scoreless draw at Peru and a 1-1 draw with Argentina in their last window.
Lorenzo’s side has taken only 3 points from their last six qualifiers (three draws and two losses), raising pressure despite already being in a strong qualifying position.
Venezuela vs Colombia Team news
Striker Jhon Duran (Fenerbahce) was injured pre-window and misses the squad, so Jhon Córdoba is expected to lead the attack. Veteran Dayro Moreno has been recalled and may play off the bench. No other major injuries are reported.
The defense is mostly settled, with Camilo Vargas or David Ospina in goal and Davinson Sánchez back from suspension.
Venezuela vs Colombia Predicted Starting XI:
Venezuela (4-3-3):
- Romo; Aramburu, Navarro, Ángel (or Ferraresi), Feltscher; J. Martínez, Cásseres Jr., Bello; Darwin Martínez, Rondón, Soteldo
Colombia (4-3-3)
- Vargas (or Ospina); D. Muñoz, Sánchez, Llinás (or Y. Mosquera), Borja; Lerma, D. Zapata (or J. Arias); Quintero (or James), Córdoba, Díaz
Head-to-Head / Context:
Historically, Colombia has dominated this matchup, winning 18 out of 40 games, compared to Venezuela’s 7 wins, with 15 games ending in draws.
In recent World Cup qualifying history, Colombia defeated Venezuela twice during the 2022 cycle, winning 3-0 at home and 1-0 away. In the first match of this campaign in September 2023, Colombia secured a 1-0 victory in Barranquilla.
Venezuela, however, will be determined to make history as they’ve never qualified for a World Cup. Currently sitting in the playoff spot just one point behind Colombia, this “showdown in Maturín” on September 9 could be the decisive match for direct qualification.
Prediction
Colombia’s strong defense and firepower are expected to secure a win in a closely contested game. It should be a competitive match, but the prediction is a 2-1 victory for Coloqualifyingmbia against Venezuela.
