Chilean World Cup Football Team 2010

Chile are one of the sleeping giants of the game, having being strong for a number of years before struggling in recent times in the CONMEBOL qualification tournaments, ranked 17th in the World, they make their 8th World Cup Appearance. They are widely considered as the best South American nation never to win the World Cup, appearing Third in their home tournament in 1962. However their World Cup history is tarnished following a scandal whereby they were disqualified from qualification in the 1990 & 1994 tournaments - after they refused to complete a match against Brazil after a fan hit the goalkeeper with a firework. It was later discovered that the whole situation was a stitch up to keep Chilean hopes alive.

In their first tournament back, Chile were one of the teams of France 98, drawing three games to advance to the last 16, where they came up against Brazil, despite fighting valiantly, they eventually lost 4-1. Marcelo Salas was the star of Brazil, netting 4 goals in 4 games.

Chile failed to qualify in 2002 & 2006, but completed qualification in 2010 with relative ease, eventually finishing second overall behind Brazil. Humbarto Suazo, of Real Zaragoza, is the player to watch in this World Cup, as they are in a group with Switzerland, Honduras, and European Champions Spain.