The FUTVE English Podcast The FUTVE English Podcast

Episode #063: Renato Vilchez of The Peruvian Waltz joins Jordan Florit to jointly review Venezuela and Peru's World Cup Qualification campaigns to date following their 1-1 draw on 21st November.

Vilchez and Florit discuss:
- Venezuela's Wonderful Start & Peru's Winless Beginning
- Is time up for Peru Head Coach Reynoso?
- Copa America 2024
- And qualification hopes for the two nations

Thank you for listening to The FUTVE English Podcast in collaboration with World Football Index.

Episode #062: Diego Sancho joins Jordan Florit to preview Venezuela's U17 World Cup squad and Group ahead of their weekend opener against New Zealand on Sunday 12 November. Sancho graduated from Caracas' prestigious Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in Journalism before beginning his career in professional football as an analyst at Caracas Futbol Club before heading agency side to Go Pro Sport Management where he works as a scout specialising in youth football. He is one of the most authoritative voices on youth football in Venezuela. 

Sancho and Florit discuss:
- Venezuela's Wonderkid David Martinez
- Their global contingent playing in Colombia, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands
- Knockout hopes from a Group containing New Zealand, Mexico, and Germany
- And the youth football landscape in Venezuela

Thank you for listening to The FUTVE English Podcast in collaboration with World Football Index.

Episode #061: Diego Atuesta, Transfer Room's Head of Commercial in The Americas, joins Jordan Florit to provide insight into Transfer Room's new partnership with Liga FUTVE & Liga FUTVE 2 which will see the top two divisions of Venezuelan football active on the transfer portal taking football by storm.

Atuesta answers questions on:
- How the partnership came about
- Carabobo & Caracas' early experiences with the platform
- How Transfer Room can assist the globalisation of the league 
- And whether Transfer Room is a facilitator or competitor to football agents

Thank you for listening to The FUTVE English Podcast in collaboration with World Football Index.

Episode #060: Academia Puerto Cabello captain Carlos Rivero joins host Jordan Florit to discuss not just his football career but his life outside it. From turning to philosophy and using the keto diet to improve his performances and personality, the former Caracas and Tachira centre back gives an illuminating interview.

The 30-year-old defender shares his thoughts on:
- How stoicism changed his work-life balance and improve him as a player
- His personal journey from rash teenager to measured father
- His post-playing aspirations
- And playing under Noel Sanvicente as the pair chase another title

Thank you for listening to The FUTVE English Podcast in collaboration with World Football Index.

Episode #059: In Jordan's favourite interview of 2023, Juan Manuel Paez opens up about football in Merida, his coaching philosophy and pedagogical approach, his uncle Richard Paez, and the realities and challenges of academy football in present day Venezuela

The Academia Emeritense coach and former Estudiantes de Merida player gives his views on:
- Today's Generation vs. The Vinotinto Boom (2001-2007)
- Life and Football in Merida
- Liga FUTVE and Where It Is At
- His Hopes for Venezuelan World Cup Qualification

Thank you for listening to The FUTVE English Podcast in collaboration with World Football Index.

Episode #058: Venezuela's CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers for 2026 begin next week, facing Colombia away on Thursday 07 August and hosting Paraguay in Maturin on Tuesday 12 August. Whilst La Vinotinto haven't played competitive football since the 2022 World Cup Qualifying campaign finished, plenty has happened on and off the pitch... 

Venezuela have played 10 friendlies since the 2022 WCQs:
- 7 Wins • 2 Draws • 1 Loss
- 15 Scored • 6 Conceded • GD +9
- 5 Goals for Rondón
- 2 for each of Josef & Torregrossa
- 5 goals from set pieces (1 penalty)

Faced: Guatemala, Honduras, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Panama, UAE, Iceland, Saudi Arabia, Malta

Jose Nestor Pekerman even resigned in controversial circumstances, to be replaced by former assistant Bocha Batista.

Next up (2026 WCQs): Colombia (A) and Paraguay (H).

Thank you for listening to The FUTVE English Podcast in collaboration with World Football Index.