Football in Chile
Encyclopedia
Football is the most popular Sport in Chile
. The country's history of Association Football began with English sailors and their boat trips due to various commercial links between Chile and Great Britain
in the 19th century.
Football was first brought to Chile by the British that exhibited the sport during visits to the commercial ports such as in Valparaiso
. Chileans living in the area would watch how the sport was being played. In 1880 Chilean aristocratic families incorporated the sport into their regular rituals which brought the first games in Chilean football. This occurred within the confines of the British school called Mackay y Sutherland de Cerro Alegre in Valparaiso.
Chile's oldest club was founded in the port of Valparaiso, and it was named Valparaiso Football Club. The governing body of Chilean football Federación de Fútbol de Chile
was established in 1895. Chile was one of the founding members of CONMEBOL
which launched the first South American international championship now known as the Copa America
.
Other important factors that helped the sport of football spread in Chile were the club tours from other nations, such as Argentina and Peru, held in Chile. Furthermore, the first South American tournaments aided in making Chile a better force in the world of association football. By the time the 1930 FIFA World Cup
took place in Uruguay, Chile gave a decent performance but was not able to reach the second round due to losing to Argentina and thus getting second place. The next major step in the international arena took place in the 1962 FIFA World Cup
which was held in Chile, and a series of interesting stories were built around the victories of the Chilean team that brought the country joy after the terrible earthquake that had deeply hurt the nation. Although Chile
did not win, the team was able to obtain 3rd place in the competition.
Currently, Chilean football remains a strong force in Latin America
. Colo-Colo
has been the only Chilean club to win a Copa Libertadores championship while other clubs such as Cobreloa
, Unión Española
and Universidad Católica
have played finals finishing in 2nd place.
represents Chile
in all major football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile
which was established in 1895. They have appeared in 7 FIFA World Cup
tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup
finishing in 3rd place.
A women's team
, an under-20 team
, and an under-17 team
also compete.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. The country's history of Association Football began with English sailors and their boat trips due to various commercial links between Chile and Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
in the 19th century.
History
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a city and commune of Chile, center of its third largest conurbation and one of the country's most important seaports and an increasing cultural center in the Southwest Pacific hemisphere. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region...
. Chileans living in the area would watch how the sport was being played. In 1880 Chilean aristocratic families incorporated the sport into their regular rituals which brought the first games in Chilean football. This occurred within the confines of the British school called Mackay y Sutherland de Cerro Alegre in Valparaiso.
Chile's oldest club was founded in the port of Valparaiso, and it was named Valparaiso Football Club. The governing body of Chilean football Federación de Fútbol de Chile
Federación de Fútbol de Chile
The Chilean Football Federation is the governing body of association football in Chile. It was founded June 19, 1895, making it the second oldest South American federation, and is a founding member of CONMEBOL in 1916...
was established in 1895. Chile was one of the founding members of CONMEBOL
CONMEBOL
The South American Football Confederation , commonly known as CONMEBOL , is the continental governing body of association football in South America and it is one of FIFA's six continental confederations...
which launched the first South American international championship now known as the Copa America
Copa América
The Copa América —previously known as South American Championship—is an international football competition contested between the men's national teams of CONMEBOL, the sport's continental governing body...
.
Other important factors that helped the sport of football spread in Chile were the club tours from other nations, such as Argentina and Peru, held in Chile. Furthermore, the first South American tournaments aided in making Chile a better force in the world of association football. By the time the 1930 FIFA World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
took place in Uruguay, Chile gave a decent performance but was not able to reach the second round due to losing to Argentina and thus getting second place. The next major step in the international arena took place in the 1962 FIFA World Cup
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
which was held in Chile, and a series of interesting stories were built around the victories of the Chilean team that brought the country joy after the terrible earthquake that had deeply hurt the nation. Although Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
did not win, the team was able to obtain 3rd place in the competition.
Currently, Chilean football remains a strong force in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. Colo-Colo
Colo-Colo
Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo is a Chilean football club based in the commune of Macul, Santiago. It competes in the Primera División, the top-flight football league in the country, from which they have never been relegated. Their home ground is the Estadio Monumental David Arellano.Colo-Colo...
has been the only Chilean club to win a Copa Libertadores championship while other clubs such as Cobreloa
Cobreloa
Club de Deportes Cobreloa is a Chilean football club from the Atacama Desert mining city of Calama which has established itself as one of the country's most competitive clubs. The club was founded on January 7, 1977 and play in the Chilean top flight, the Primera División, where they have played...
, Unión Española
Unión Española
Club Unión Española S.A.D.P is a professional Chilean football based in Independencia, Santiago de Chile. Founded by a Spanish immigrants on 18 May 1897, Unión Española have participated in the top-tier of Chilean football for all of their existence but two seasons in the late '90s .Unión Española...
and Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica
Club Deportivo Universidad Católica is a professional football club based in Santiago, Chile, which plays in the Primera División.Universidad Católica is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in Chile and considered one of the three "big teams"...
have played finals finishing in 2nd place.
National teams
The Chilean national football teamChile national football team
The Chilean national football team represents Chile in all major international football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile which was established in 1895. They have appeared in eight World Cup tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup finishing in...
represents Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
in all major football competitions. The team is controlled by the Federación de Fútbol de Chile
Federación de Fútbol de Chile
The Chilean Football Federation is the governing body of association football in Chile. It was founded June 19, 1895, making it the second oldest South American federation, and is a founding member of CONMEBOL in 1916...
which was established in 1895. They have appeared in 7 FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
tournaments and were hosts of the 1962 FIFA World Cup
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
finishing in 3rd place.
A women's team
Chile women's national football team
The Chile women's national football team represents Chile in international women's football.It is controlled by the ANFP, and its member of CONMEBOL.-World Cup record:-Current Squad:Squad for the 2011 Pan American Games-Sponsors:...
, an under-20 team
Chile national under-20 football team
Chile national U-20 football team, also known as Chile Sub-20 or La Rojita, is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile. The U-20 team is considered to be the breeding ground for future Chile national soccer team players...
, and an under-17 team
Chile national under-17 football team
Chile national under-17 football team is the representative of Chile within all FIFA sponsored tournaments that pertain to that age level. It is part of the Federación de Fútbol de Chile and has participated in two FIFA U-17 World Cups...
also compete.
See Also
National teams competitions:- Chilean Primera División
- Chilean Primera División B
- 2011 Chilean Primera División season2011 Chilean Primera División seasonThe 2011 Primera División del Fútbol Profesional Chileno season is the 80th season of top-flight football in Chile...