He Venezuela versus Colombia The locals are the big favorites for the 2026 South American qualification. La Vinotinto has the complicated task of beating the coffee farmers as visitors, something that historically only happened once in 2003. Aside from the statistics about the history of both teams, it is no surprise to many that Colombia’s team is much larger than Venezuela. Something that might attract attention, however, is the extent to which this difference extends.
What is the difference between the value of the Venezuelan team and that of Colombia?
According to Transfermarkt, the approximate market value of the Venezuelan team is 46.20 million euros. The most expensive footballers in Fernando Batista’s latest squad are Yangel Herrera, Jefferson Savarino and Yefferson Soteldo, who are currently worth 5 million. Of all of them, the midfielder who now plays in Girona was the most valuable back then. In 2021, Herrera was worth 18 million euros.
Although these are good numbers, they are all well below the Colombian team average. In fact, as already mentioned, the individual value of a player in Néstor Lorenzo’s team is practically a different reality. Luis Díaz, Liverpool winger and currently the best Colombian footballer, is worth €75 million, almost 1.5 times Vinotinto’s total market value.
The high market value of Yangel Herrera a few years ago was always highlighted in Venezuela. Photo: EFE
Although no other player on the team comes close to Díaz’s incredible number, there are some who exceed the 10 million mark. None of the players called up by Lorenzo are under €1 million, with the exception of Devis Vásquez, the third goalkeeper who plays for Sheffield Wednesday. Colombia’s enormous squad gives him a total market value of 274.75 million. This exceeds Venezuela’s amount by a remarkable 228.55 euros.
Who will be called up from Venezuela for the double date of the 2026 South American qualifiers?
Coach Fernando Batista called up a total of 29 players for the games against Colombia and Paraguay:
- Joel Graterol (Panetolikos FC)
- Alain Baroja (Caracas FC)
- Rafael Romo (Catholic University)
- Alexander Gonzalez (Caracas FC)
- Christian Makoun (New England Revolution)
- Jhon Chancellor (Necaxa)
- Jordan Osorio (Parma)
- Jon Aramburu (Real Sociedad)
- Luis Mago (Banfield)
- Miguel Navarro (Chicago Fire)
- Mikel Villanueva (Victoria Guimaraes)
- Roberto Rosales (Sport Recife)
- Wilker Angel (Aucas)
- Tomas Rincon (Santos FC)
- Junior Moreno (FC Cincinnati)
- Jesus Bueno (Philadelphia Union)
- Yangel Herrera (Girona FC)
- Cristian Casseres Jr. (Toulouse FC)
- José Martinez (Philadelphia Union)
- Eduard Bello (Mazatlan FC)
- Jefferson Savarino (Real Salt Lake)
- Romulo Otero (Aucas)
- Samuel Sosa (Emelec)
- Yeferson Soteldo (Santos)
- Darwin Machis (Cadiz CF)
- Alejandro Marqués (Estorial Praia)
- Salomón Rondón (River Plate)
- Josef Martinez (Inter Miami)
- Sergio Cordova (Vancouver Whitecaps).