Chile’s World Cup Hopes Fade as Calls for Change Intensify
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Loading... - Chloe Bernard
- 25 Oct 2024
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Following a disheartening 4-0 defeat to Colombia, the dreams of Chile’s national soccer team, La Roja, to qualify for the 2026 World Cup appear increasingly bleak. The loss marks the fourth consecutive defeat in the World Cup qualifiers, following earlier setbacks against Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. With only five points out of a possible 30, Chile finds itself at the bottom of the South American standings, and the prospect of participating in the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States feels more like a distant fantasy than an attainable goal.
Four Defeats and Counting
The recent match against Colombia has prompted an outpouring of frustration from fans and the media alike. The Chilean press has been unforgiving, with La Tercera labeling the Colombian expedition as “a disaster.” Esteemed sports journalist Juan Cristobal Guarello did not hold back in his critique of head coach Ricardo Gareca, accusing the Argentine of being uninspired and lazy. This sentiment reflects a broader concern regarding the team’s lack of direction and fight, with many fans lamenting the absence of passion on the field. Guarello’s blunt observation that “there was no attitude of rebellion” resonates deeply with supporters who have grown weary of witnessing their beloved La Roja falter.
The Pressure Mounts on Gareca and Milad
As the losses continue to pile up, the pressure on both Gareca and the president of the National Association of Professional Soccer (ANFP), Pablo Milad, has reached a boiling point. Following the crushing defeat, Gareca hinted at uncertainty regarding his future, stating, “I need to calm down and be with my technical staff. It’s hard to sustain this process, but I don’t have the answer yet.” Meanwhile, Milad suggested that decisions about Gareca’s future would be made after careful consideration, although his remarks only fueled speculation about the growing instability surrounding the national team.
The public outcry has intensified, with calls for both men to resign. Fans and media alike are pointing fingers at Milad, criticizing his management of Chilean soccer as ineffective. The chorus demanding his resignation has grown louder, with many arguing that a change in leadership is essential for La Roja to have any hope of reversing its fortunes.
Who Could Replace Gareca?
As speculation swirls around Gareca’s future, attention has turned to potential successors. Several names have emerged as candidates to take the helm of La Roja, leading to a heated debate over whether the next head coach should be a Chilean or another foreigner. Nicolás Córdova, currently coaching Chile’s U-20 team, has surfaced as a top choice. Many believe that promoting a coach from within the national setup could provide continuity while injecting fresh ideas into the senior squad.
Other Chilean coaches, such as Jaime García, who previously managed Santiago Wanderers, and Gustavo Huertas, head coach of Cobresal, are also being considered. Both have solid reputations in Chilean soccer and could potentially reinvigorate the national team.
However, the option of hiring another foreign coach remains on the table. Gareca’s previous success with the Peruvian national team, where he led them to the 2018 World Cup, initially made him a promising candidate for Chile. Yet, after a series of disappointing results, many are questioning the wisdom of continuing to hire coaches from abroad. There’s a growing sentiment that a local coach might be better equipped to understand the unique dynamics of Chilean soccer and foster a stronger connection with the players and fans.
Is There Still Hope?
While the atmosphere surrounding Chile’s World Cup prospects is grim, some fans and analysts refuse to completely abandon hope. Mathematically, La Roja still has a chance to qualify, but it will require a significant turnaround in both performance and results. Currently, Chile is seven points behind the seventh-place team, which secures a spot in the intercontinental playoff. Bolivia, with 12 points, occupies that crucial position.
Chilean media outlets have begun analyzing the scenarios that could allow La Roja to salvage their World Cup campaign. According to AlAireLibre, Chile would need to accumulate between 18 and 22 points in their remaining eight matches to have a realistic shot at qualification. In the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Chile finished with 19 points, which placed them in seventh—offering a potential lifeline in the form of a playoff for 2026.
The upcoming matches against Peru and Venezuela in November are seen as pivotal. Winning both could reignite the team’s belief and offer a glimmer of hope for qualification. ESPN analyst Jorge Gómez emphasized the importance of these fixtures, stating, “The sprint starts by taking six points from six against Peru and Venezuela. We need to win in Lima to start believing in something.”
However, even the most optimistic fans acknowledge the uphill battle that lies ahead. Chile’s performances have been inconsistent, and defensive vulnerabilities have been glaringly exposed in recent matches.
