Canada’s head coach, Jesse Marsch, has amplified his team’s schedule by securing an exciting neutral-site match against No. 46 Venezuela during the November international window. The 28th-ranked Canadian men will go head-to-head with the South American side on November 18 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home of Inter Miami.
In a thrilling previous encounter at last summer’s Copa America, Canada emerged victorious over Venezuela in a nail-biting penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals. Their history also includes two previous meetings in Venezuela, both ending in draws: 1-1 in Mérida in May 2010 and 2-2 in Maracaibo in June 2007.
“The quarterfinal win against Venezuela at the 2024 Copa America was a defining moment for our program, one that our players, staff, and supporters will cherish forever,” Marsch stated emphatically. “Venezuela is a formidable team and will undoubtedly be hungry for revenge. This friendly match presents us with an invaluable opportunity to test ourselves against a worthy opponent.”
Venezuela’s aspirations for World Cup qualification were shattered on Tuesday after a staggering 6-3 loss at home to No. 14 Colombia. This defeat, compounded by No. 78 Bolivia’s surprising 1-0 victory over No. 5 Brazil, ensured that Bolivia finished seventh in the CONMEBOL standings with a record of 6 wins, 10 losses, and 2 draws (20 points), securing a spot in FIFA’s six-team intercontinental playoff. Unfortunately, Venezuela, finishing eighth with a record of 4 wins, 8 losses, and 6 draws (18 points), remains the only CONMEBOL nation yet to qualify for a World Cup. The top six finishers in CONMEBOL—Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay—will automatically earn their places in the World Cup, highlighting the fierce competition within the region.
In the wake of recent 3-0 and 1-0 wins over No. 48 Romania and No. 31 Wales in the September international window, the Canadian men are 6-1-3 this year, with two of those draws turning into shootout losses (to No. 45 Ivory Coast in the Canadian Shield tournament and No. 100 Guatemala in the Gold Cup).
Up next for Canada are No. 24 Australia on Oct. 10 at Montreal’s Saputo Stadium and Colombia on Oct. 14 in Harrison, N.J. on Oct. 10.
The Canadians will open the last FIFA international window of the year with a Nov. 13 game against No. 25 Ecuador at Toronto’s BMO Field.
The 2025 schedule has provided a varied menu of opponents. Six of Canada’s 14 matches this year have been against CONCACAF opposition, with three against European teams, three against South American sides and one African and one Asian team.
