Chile—nicknamed La Roja—has had moments of glory, heartbreak, and resurgence. But when fans ask how many trophies has Chile won, what exactly are they counting? In this article, GypsyGoal will guide you through Chile’s trophy cabinet: international titles, historical honors, and the trophies that define La Roja’s legacy.
What counts as a “trophy”? Defining the terms
Before we dive into numbers, it’s crucial to clarify what “trophies” mean in the context of a national team:
- Major international titles: Titles in tournaments organized by FIFA or the regional confederation (CONMEBOL) — e.g. Copa América, World Cup, Confederations Cup.
- Official honors: Runner-ups, third place, and other podium finishes are typically recorded but not counted as “trophies won.”
- Friendly or minor trophies: Cups, we’ll differentiate between major titles and additional cups to give a full picture. And yes, we’ll repeatedly highlight how many trophies has Chile won under the strictest lens (major titles) and in a broader sense.
Major international trophies: Chile’s “headline” haul
When we talk about major, meaningful trophies, Chile’s count is modest but memorable. Here are the key achievements:
Copa América — Chile’s greatest continental triumphs
Chile has won the Copa América twice:
- 2015 — on home soil, defeating Argentina in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time.
- 2016 (Copa América Centenario) — the following year, Chile again beat Argentina on penalties after another 0–0 draw over 120 minutes.
These back-to-back wins mark the only major continental trophies in their trophy cabinet.
Thus: Chile has won 2 Copa América titles.
Other major tournaments: World Cup & Confederations Cup
FIFA World Cup
- Chile has never won the World Cup. Their best performance came in 1962, when, hosting the tournament, they reached third place. While that is a major achievement, it is not a title.
FIFA Confederations Cup
- Chile participated in the 2017 edition and finished as runners-up, losing the final. Again, that is an honor, but not a trophy by “winner” standards.
So in terms of major won trophies, Chile’s total stands at:
2 major international trophies (both Copa América).
Beyond the majors: Friendly trophies and minor honors
While the big titles are few, Chile’s full honors list includes several minor or friendly cups. These don’t carry the prestige of continental or world titles, but fans still like to include them in the club’s broader achievements.
Some of those include:
- Copa Bernardo O’Higgins (Chile vs. Argentina bilateral cup) — won twice.
- Copa del Pacífico — 7 titles across different years.
- Copa Juan Pinto Durán, Copa Carlos Dittborn, China Cup, and various other invitational trophies — one or few wins each.
When combining major and these lesser trophies, some sources list a broader total of “titles and trophy wins” in the range of a dozen or more. But again, such counts vary depending on whether one includes friendly tournaments or not.
Chile’s runner-ups and podium finishes: a snapshot of near glory
To appreciate how often La Roja has come close, here’s a look at notable second-place and third-place finishes:
- Copa América runners-up: 4 times (1955, 1956, 1979, 1987)
- Copa América third place: 5 times (1926, 1941, 1945, 1967, 1991)
- FIFA Confederations Cup runners-up: once (2017)
Though these don’t count as trophies, they show Chile has been a persistent challenger on the South American stage.
Historical context: Why only 2 major trophies?
Chile is among the older national teams in South America, having participated in many early editions of the South American Championship (the precursor to Copa América) and being a founding member of CONMEBOL.
Yet for much of its history, Chile was overshadowed by continental rivals — Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil — which historically dominated. This made it tough for Chile to break through despite participating in dozens of continental tournaments.
That only changed in recent history, thanks to a “golden generation” of players and bold coaches like Jorge Sampaoli. Their persistence paid off in 2015 and 2016 with consecutive Copa América wins, marking a historic peak for Chilean football.
At a glance: Chile’s trophy summary
|
Type of trophy |
Titles won |
Notes |
|
Copa América |
2 |
2015, 2016 |
|
FIFA World Cup |
0 |
Best: 3rd (1962) |
|
FIFA Confederations Cup |
0 |
Runners-up in 2017 |
|
Friendly / invitational cups |
Various (7+) |
Bernardo O’Higgins, Pacífico, etc. |
|
Podium finishes (not wins) |
Multiple |
Copa América runners-up & 3rd places |
So when asked how many trophies has Chile won (in majors), the clear answer is: 2.
If you include the minor and friendly tournaments, that number grows, but none match the prestige of their Copa América titles.
Why Chile’s two titles matter so much
It’s easy to dismiss “just two trophies” as meager. But for La Roja, those moments are mythic:
- The 2015 final win ended a century of continental heartbreak.
- Winning again in 2016 proved it was no fluke — Chile became one of the few nations to defend a continental title.
- Those victories cemented the legacy of a golden generation, giving Chile confidence, reputation, and international respect.
They transformed how many trophies has Chile won into more than a number — into part of the national identity.
Challenges and what lies ahead
Despite that golden era, Chile’s recent form has seen struggles. They failed to qualify for the 2018, 2022, and as of mid-2025 look unlikely for 2026. Their coach recently resigned after poor qualifying results.
These challenges show that sustaining success is harder than winning once. Yet hope remains: younger players are emerging, and fans continue to believe that Chile might add to their trophy count again.
One new trophynother Copa América or even a deep run in a FIFA tournament — would dramatically shift how many trophies has Chile won. That’s what every fan dreams of.
Final Thoughts
How many trophies has Chile won? In terms of major, high-prestige titles: two — both Copa América (2015, 2016). Include friendly and minor cups, and the tally rises, but those two remain Chile’s defining triumphs.
At GypsyGoal, we believe those victories will always stand out as bright chapters in Chilean football history. And as La Roja rebuilds, fans everywhere will be watching, waiting for the moment when Chile can stack another trophy on their shelf.
If you want deeper dives — player stats, match recaps, upcoming fixtures, or analysis of Chile’s golden generation — tell me, and I’ll bring the stories.
