World ranking of the Chilean male national football team 1992-2023

The best year-end position achieved by the Chilean men’s national soccer team in the history of the FIFA World Ranking was in 2016. Reaching fourth position, the South American squad had climbed one spot versus the previous year’s ranking. Since then, Chile’s performance in the ranking has decreased, finishing the year 2023 in 40th position.

Chile in FIFA World Cups

Out of the 22 FIFA Men’s World Cups that have taken place, Chile has qualified for nine. As host in 1962, the Chilean soccer team achieved third place with a 1-0 win against the former Czechoslovakia.

Chile was suspended from the 1990 World Cup qualifiers and banned for the following championship due to an incident that had taken place during a match against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium in 1989. On that day, the Chilean goalkeeper pretended to have been injured by a flare thrown onto the field by a spectator.

Who are the best Chilean soccer players?

In the history of Chile’s national soccer team, Alexis Sánchez holds the record of top goal scorer, having accumulated 51 goals until March 2024. Sánchez – also known in his homeland as “El Niño Maravilla” or “The Wonder Boy” – debuted with the Chilean squad on April 27, 2006, and has surpassed Eduardo Vargas – the second player in the ranking – by 10 goals. These are the only two Chilean top scorers who are still active in the professional game.