FRANCE 98 – Team Detail

Chile was the fourth and last of the South American countries to qualify for the 1998 World Cup after winning its last match 3-0.

In seven appearances in the World Cup finals, counting 1998, Chile has only managed to qualify four times – England 1966, Germany ’74, Spain ’82 and France ’98. In 1930 Chile were invited by Uruguay, in 1950 Argentina pulled out just before the start of the qualifiers, allowing Chile to reach the finals without having to play a match.

Thanks to strikers Zamorano and Salas, Chile’s place in France ’98 marks the country’s first appearance in the finals for 16 years. However Chile has rarely succeeded in the final stages. Chile’s best result was when it hosted the World Cup in 1962 and managed to finish third behind winners Brazil who boasted Pele, Garrincha and Vava.

In its last World Cup appearance in 1982 Chile arrived in Spain boosted by midfield duo Figueroa and Quintano, considered amongst the best in the world and talented strikers Caszely and Yanez. But defeats by Germany (4-1), Austria (1-0) and Algeria (3-2) saw them knocked out in the first stages of the finals. It was a bitter blow for their fans who were convinced the 1982 squad was the greatest the Chile team ever assembled.

Chile has managed to reach the final of the Copa America four times (1955,56,79 and 87) but were beaten each time. At club level, three teams, Chile University, Colo Colo and the Catholic University, share most of the top honours. In 1991, Colo Colo became the first Chilean side to win the Copa Libertadores.

For 1998, Chile will be counting on Ivan Zamorano (Inter Milan), Marcelo Salas (River Plate, Argentina) and Sebastian Rozental (Glasgow Rangers).