El Salvador, the tiny Central American country, has been making waves in the soccer world lately. Despite being much smaller than their neighboring countries of Mexico and Honduras, the Salvadoran national team has been holding their own on the field. But just where do they rank among other soccer powerhouses across the globe?
According to the latest FIFA world rankings, El Salvador is currently ranked 69th in the world in soccer. While they may not be a top contender just yet, their ranking is a significant achievement for the country’s soccer program. With recent victories over Mexico and the United States under their belt, the Salvadoran team has been proving that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
But what sets El Salvador apart in the soccer world? Many attribute their success to the country’s passion for the sport. Soccer has long been a national pastime in El Salvador, with many young children growing up dreaming of playing on the national team one day. With a strong focus on youth development and a love for the game, it’s no surprise that El Salvador is quickly climbing the ranks and gaining attention from the soccer community worldwide.
El Salvador’s Soccer History
El Salvador has a rich soccer history that dates back to 1921 when the country played its first international match against Guatemala, which resulted in a 0-0 draw. Since then, the El Salvadorian soccer team has become one of the most recognized teams in Central America, with a strong fan base both in the country and abroad.
Throughout its history, the El Salvadorian soccer team has competed in several international competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup, where they have qualified for two editions in 1970 and 1982. In addition, they have also been winners of the Central American and Caribbean Games and the CONCACAF Nations Cup.
Major Achievements of El Salvador in Soccer
- Qualified for FIFA World Cup in 1970 and 1982.
- Won the Central American and Caribbean Games in 1954, 2002, and 2014.
- Won the CONCACAF Nations Cup in 1943, 1946, and 1961.
The Rise of Modern Soccer in El Salvador
During the 1990s, soccer in El Salvador experienced a significant rise in popularity, both at the domestic and international levels. One of the key factors was the establishment of the Primera Division de Futbol Profesional, the country’s top professional soccer league. This league has been crucial in providing local players with opportunities to showcase their skills and has allowed them to compete at a higher level.
In recent years, El Salvador has also made significant investments in soccer infrastructure. The country has built several modern stadiums, such as the Estadio Cuscatlan and the Estadio Jorge ‘el Mágico’ González, which have hosted international matches and have helped to boost the country’s profile in the soccer world.
Current FIFA Ranking of El Salvador in Soccer
As of April 2021, El Salvador is ranked 69th in the FIFA world rankings. The team is considered one of the top teams in Central America and is expected to continue competing at a high level in both domestic and international competitions.
| Year | FIFA Ranking |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 70 |
| 2018 | 72 |
| 2019 | 69 |
| 2020 | 69 |
| 2021 | 69 |
El Salvador has a bright future in soccer, and the country’s dedication to the sport is evident in its various achievements and investments. The team’s continued success is likely to have a positive impact on the country’s economy and cultural identity.
The National Soccer Team in El Salvador
Ranked as the 72nd best soccer team in the world by FIFA, the National Soccer Team in El Salvador has earned a reputation for being a tough competitor. Despite its efforts to make significant strides in the sport, this team has undergone a number of challenges related to its structure, funding, and team dynamic.
- Historical Background: El Salvador’s National Soccer Team has participated in several international tournaments over the years, including the FIFA World Cup. The team has been able to demonstrate its skills in numerous games, achieving a notable win against Mexico in the 2011 Gold Cup. Despite being founded in 1921, this team has yet to win a major international soccer title.
- Contemporary Problems: In recent years, the national team has encountered difficulties related to team coordination, funding, and other challenges. In fact, allegations of bribery and corruption led to legal action against El Salvador’s football federation in 2018. This scandal brought the team’s development to a standstill, hindering its ability to achieve its potential in the sport.
- Rebuilding Efforts: Despite the setbacks it has experienced, El Salvador’s soccer team has implemented several strategies to help the team move forward, including improvements in its governance and structure. The team has also focused on recruiting new players and offering more opportunities for them to sharpen their skills through intense training and development programs.
Despite its challenges, the National Soccer Team in El Salvador remains a resilient competitor in the sport. Its commitment to overcoming its obstacles and competing at the highest level of the sport is a testament to its dedication and love for the game.
If you’re a soccer fan, make sure to keep an eye on El Salvador’s National Soccer Team as they continue to work hard to make their mark in the sport. Who knows, they might just surprise you with their skills and determination on the field!
El Salvador’s Performance in the World Cup
El Salvador has participated in the FIFA World Cup on two occasions, in 1970 and 1982. While their overall performance in the tournament has not been particularly notable, their participation in the World Cup has nonetheless been a significant achievement for the country.
- In 1970, El Salvador qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Despite winning their opening game against Honduras, they would go on to lose their remaining two games and finish third in their group, failing to advance to the knockout rounds. This tournament is perhaps most remembered for the intense political tensions between El Salvador and Honduras at the time, which led to a brief military conflict that became known as the Football War.
- In 1982, El Salvador returned to the World Cup for a second time. They faced a difficult group stage, competing against Hungary, Belgium, and reigning champions Argentina. Unfortunately, El Salvador failed to earn a single point in the tournament, losing all three of their games and finishing last in their group.
- Despite their lack of success on the World Cup stage, El Salvador has continued to be an active participant in international soccer. They have regularly qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they have achieved some notable results, including reaching the quarterfinals in 2002 and 2011.
Overall, while El Salvador’s performance in the World Cup has been somewhat underwhelming, their participation in the tournament has undoubtedly been a significant moment in the country’s soccer history. By competing on the global stage, El Salvador has been able to showcase their soccer talent and represent their nation alongside some of the world’s best teams.
For El Salvador fans, the hope remains that one day they will be able to qualify for the World Cup once again and make a mark on the tournament’s history.
| Year | Position | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | First Round | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1982 | First Round | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Table: El Salvador’s World Cup record
Top Players in El Salvador’s Soccer History
El Salvador may not be a traditional powerhouse in the sport of soccer, but the country has produced some talented players over the years. Here are four of the top players in El Salvador’s soccer history:
- Hugo Sánchez – Considered one of the greatest Mexican soccer players of all time, Sánchez was actually born in El Salvador before moving to Mexico at a young age. He played for the El Salvador national team early in his career before earning fame with club teams in Mexico and Spain.
- Raul Diaz Arce – Born in San Salvador, Diaz Arce played for the El Salvador national team in the 1990s and early 2000s. He also had a successful club career in the United States, playing for teams like D.C. United and the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
- Mauricio Cienfuegos – A midfielder known for his precision passing and set piece ability, Cienfuegos played for the El Salvador national team for over a decade. He also had a successful club career in the United States, playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
- Jorge “El Mágico” González – Widely regarded as the greatest player in El Salvador’s soccer history, González was known for his exceptional ball control and dribbling ability. He played for the El Salvador national team from 1976-1998 and had stints with club teams in El Salvador, Spain, and Chile.
Other Notable Players
While the above players may be the most famous exports from El Salvador’s soccer scene, there have been many other talented players over the years. Some other notable names include:
Jamel Pinto, Carlos “El Famoso” Hernández, Ronald Cerritos, William Osael Romero, Rudis Corrales, and Arturo Alvarez.
El Salvador’s All-Time Leading Scorers
Here are the top ten goalscorers in the history of the El Salvador national team:
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Rudis Corrales | 27 |
| Cristian Castillo | 23 |
| Ronald Cerritos | 21 |
| Eliseo Quintanilla | 20 |
| Jamel Pinto | 19 |
| Arturo Álvarez | 17 |
| Mauricio Cienfuegos | 17 |
| William Osael Romero | 16 |
| Wilfredo Fuego | 16 |
| Raúl Díaz Arce | 15 |
These players have left their mark on El Salvador’s soccer history, helping to elevate the country’s profile in the sport and inspiring future generations of players to follow in their footsteps.
The Future of Soccer in El Salvador
Despite being considered one of the top soccer nations in Central America, El Salvador’s national team has struggled in recent years. Currently ranked 69th in the world by FIFA, the team has missed out on qualifying for the World Cup since 1982. However, there is hope on the horizon for the future of soccer in El Salvador, with several promising developments in the works.
- Investment in Youth Programs: To improve the quality of players, El Salvador has been investing in youth soccer programs. By nurturing the talent of young players, El Salvador hopes to create a pipeline of future stars for the national team.
- Improved Infrastructure: The lack of proper infrastructure has hampered soccer development in El Salvador. However, there have been efforts to improve the quality of soccer fields and stadiums which will provide better training facilities for youth players.
- Foreign Influence: El Salvador has been recruiting soccer experts from around the world to help improve the country’s soccer system. From coaches to administrators, El Salvador is tapping into global expertise to create a world-class system for soccer development.
The combination of these efforts is already yielding results. In 2021, El Salvador finished second in the CONCACAF nations league, beating teams like Mexico along the way. Additionally, the country has been investing in its women’s soccer team, which has shown promise in recent years.
The country’s soccer ecosystem has gone through unstable periods, largely due to limited funding and poor government policies. Improvement in soccer infrastructure and resources needs more attention to flourished its soccer players, reflected on International matches. Hence, there are challenges moving into the future that include the controversy over the planned construction of new soccer stadiums and corruption in soccer administration, but these do not negate the positive developments that have taken place in recent times.
| Ranking | Year |
|---|---|
| 96 | 2011 |
| 125 | 2016 |
| 69 | 2021 |
Overall, the future of soccer in El Salvador looks promising. With continued investment in youth programs, improved infrastructure, and the recruitment of global talent, El Salvador has the potential to become a force in international soccer once again.
Women’s Soccer in El Salvador
Women’s soccer in El Salvador has been steadily gaining popularity and recognition in recent years. However, the national women’s team has not achieved the same level of success as the men’s team.
El Salvador’s women’s soccer team is currently ranked 95th in the world by FIFA. They have never qualified for a major international tournament, such as the World Cup or the Olympics.
- Despite the challenges they face, the women’s team has made progress in recent years. They won their first international game in 2010, defeating Belize 2-1.
- In 2014, they participated in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship for the first time, but failed to advance past the group stage.
- In 2018, they finished second in their group in the CONCACAF Women’s Championship, but still did not qualify for the World Cup.
The lack of investment and resources for women’s soccer in El Salvador has been a major hindrance to the development of the game. The national team has struggled with a lack of consistent training facilities and proper funding.
However, there have been efforts to improve the situation. In 2014, the Salvadoran Football Federation established a women’s soccer department to promote the development of the game.
| Year | Ranking |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 121 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2018 | 95 |
While there is still much work to be done to improve women’s soccer in El Salvador, the progress made in recent years is a positive sign for the future of the game.
Youth Development in El Salvadorian Soccer
El Salvador has a rich soccer culture and is most famous for producing legendary players like Jorge “El Mágico” González and Raul Diaz Arce. However, when it comes to world rankings, El Salvador currently sits at 69th place according to FIFA. One reason for this could be the lack of investment in youth development programs in the country.
- El Salvadorian soccer federation introduced a youth development program in 2010 called “Fútbol para Todos” (Soccer for Everyone) with the goal of identifying and developing young talent from across the country.
- The program was designed to promote soccer as a means of social integration and provide opportunities for young athletes from all parts of the country to develop their skills.
- However, the program has not yet produced the results that were expected. In fact, since its inception, the national team has not qualified for any major international tournament.
One of the biggest challenges in youth development in El Salvador is the lack of infrastructure and resources. Most of the soccer fields across the country do not meet international standards, and there is a shortage of quality coaches and training facilities.
Another challenge is the high level of violence in the country, which has a significant impact on the development of young soccer players. Many of them are forced to grow up in violent and unstable environments, which can lead to trauma and social isolation. This makes it difficult for them to focus on their soccer careers and can also discourage parents from letting their children participate in the sport.
| Year | Ranking |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2011 | 108 |
| 2012 | 102 |
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 88 |
Despite these challenges, there are some positive signs of progress in youth development in El Salvador. Some private organizations have started investing in the development of youth soccer programs, and the national team has started playing competitive matches against other top teams in the region. With continued investment and support, there is hope that El Salvadorian soccer can reach new heights and compete on the international stage.
What is El Salvador Ranked in Soccer?
1. What is the current FIFA ranking of El Salvador’s national soccer team? The El Salvador national team is currently ranked 69th in the FIFA world rankings.
2. How many times has El Salvador qualified for the World Cup? El Salvador has qualified for the World Cup twice in their history, in 1970 and 1982.
3. Which is the highest ranking that El Salvador has achieved in the FIFA world rankings? The highest ranking El Salvador has ever achieved was 29th in December 1981.
4. Who are some of the most famous soccer players from El Salvador? Some of the most famous soccer players from El Salvador include Ronald Cerritos, Mauricio Cienfuegos, and Eliseo Quintanilla.
5. Has El Salvador ever won a major international soccer tournament? El Salvador has never won a major international soccer tournament, but they did finish as runners-up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1963 and 1981.
6. What is the current state of El Salvador’s national soccer team? El Salvador’s national team has been making steady progress in recent years, although they have not yet qualified for the World Cup since 1982. They are currently looking to build a strong team for the future.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for reading this article about what El Salvador is ranked in soccer. Though they may not be considered a powerhouse, the national team has a rich soccer history and is continuing to improve. We hope you learned something new and will visit again for more soccer news and information.