Venezuela National Soccer Team

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, smiles after receiving the shirt of the Venezuelan soccer team with Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro, right, during his visit at Miraflores Presidential Palace in in Caracas, Venezuela , Friday , Oct 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Atletico Venezuela vs Caracas FC 10/14/2021

Oct. 16, 2021 03:36 PM EDT

Brazil's players stand during the national anthem prior to a Copa America soccer match against Venezuela at the National Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Copa America's COVID-19 cases increase 13 to 66

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 17, 2021 05:27 PM EDT

Brazil's Gabriel Barbosa, right, celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Venezuela with teammate Neymar during a Copa America soccer match at the National Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil keeps search for striker against Peru at Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 15, 2021 08:54 PM EDT

The Copa America trophy is placed on the field prior to the opening match between Brazil and Venezuela at National Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil counts 52 virus cases connected to Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 15, 2021 02:23 PM EDT

Messi eyes Copa America for "biggest dream" with Argentina

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 13, 2021 08:30 PM EDT

An aerial view of the Arena Pantanal stadium which will host Sunday's Copa America soccer match between Colombia and Ecuador, in Cuiaba, Brazil, Saturday, June 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Colombia says 2 members of coaching staff test positive

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 13, 2021 02:09 PM EDT

Brazil's Lucas Paqueta, center, celebrates after scoring his side's 2nd goal against Paraguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asuncion, Paraguay, Tuesday, June 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Firmino out and Paquetá in for Brazil's Copa America opener

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 12, 2021 07:01 PM EDT

Employees prepare the National Stadium for the tomorrow's Copa America soccer tournament in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, June 12, 2021. The stadium will host Sunday's opening match between Brazil and Venezuela. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Copa America: Venezuela has 8 players, Bolivia 3 with virus

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 12, 2021 11:28 AM EDT

Protesters drive their car with a sign reading in Portuguese "Copa No, Vaccines Now" to protest the holding of Copa America in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, June 6, 2021. Brazil accepted hosting the South American soccer tournament after the original co-hosts were dropped: Colombia due to political protests and Argentina for rising of COVID-19 cases. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Brazil top court to rule on country as Copa America host

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 08, 2021 07:33 PM EDT

Bolivia's Marcelo Martins celebrates after scoring his team's third goal against Venezuela during a World Cup qualifying soccer match in La Paz, Bolivia, Thursday, June 3, 2021. (Aizar Raldes/Pool via AP)

Argentina draws after 7-month halt of World Cup qualifiers

Debora Rey Jun. 03, 2021 11:43 PM EDT

FILE - This May 13, 2014 file photo shows Maracana stadium behind the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil will host Copa America for the second consecutive time after Colombia and Argentina were stripped of hosting rights for the tournament, according to the South American soccer body CONMEBOL on Monday, May 31, 2021, hours after it ruled out Argentina amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. Colombia was removed as co-host on May 20 as street protests against President Iván Duque rocked the nation. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

Maracanã to host Copa America final: Brazil-Venezuela open

By Mauricio Savarese Jun. 03, 2021 12:26 AM EDT

PSG's Neymar reacts at the end of the French League One soccer match between Brest and Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Francis-Le Ble stadium in Brest, France, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

South America restarts World Cup qualifying amid COVID rise

By Debora Rey Jun. 01, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

Conmebol's President Alejandro Dominguez speaks during a re- inauguration ceremony at the headquarters of the South American Football Confederation, known by its acronym CONMEBOL, in Luque, Paraguay, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Qatar and Australia pull out of Copa America

By Mauricio Savarese Feb. 23, 2021 02:08 PM EST

Argentina's Lionel Messi stands on the field during a qualifying soccer match against Paraguay for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020.(Marcelo Endelli, Pool via AP)

Argentina match to go ahead in Peru in WCup qualifying

By Mauricio Savarese Nov. 16, 2020 12:46 PM EST

Real Madrid's Eder Militao lies on the pitch in pain during the Champions League, group B soccer match between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk at Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Brazil loses defenders Militao and Caio for WCup qualifying

Nov. 03, 2020 10:31 AM EST

Colombia's Duvan Zapata, right, celebrates scoring his side's first goal with teammate Juan Cuadrado during a qualifying soccer match against Venezuela for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Barranquilla, Colombia, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. (Gabriel Aponte/Pool via AP)

Brazil, Colombia outclass rivals, lead World Cup qualifiers

By Mauricio Savarese Oct. 09, 2020 10:55 PM EDT

Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrates scoring from the penalty point the opening goal during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 against Chile at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. (Raul Martinez/Pool via AP)

Argentina, Uruguay win in long-awaited World Cup qualifiers

By Mauricio Savarese Oct. 08, 2020 11:40 PM EDT

Venezuela defender meets 7-month-old daughter before match

By Jorge Rueda And Mauricio Savarese Oct. 08, 2020 10:59 PM EDT
CARACAS (AP) — Venezuela defender Wilker Ángel was eager for South American World Cup qualifiers to start this week despite the COVID-19 pandemic still having...