Bolivia has been flipping the script in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign to secure one spot in the final round. Bolivia has been perceived as one of the weakest teams in CONMEBOL. They have only made three appearances in Football World Cup final tournaments, two of which were in the 1930 and 1950 editions before their last showing in the USA in 1994.
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Since then, they have been unable to qualify, let alone finish in the middle of the pack in South American FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Initially, it seemed they might experience the same disheartening results once again in the current campaign. They were outclassed by Brazil and endured a 5-1 drubbing, managing to secure only one victory in the first six matches.
Nevertheless, the appointment of Óscar Villegas to succeed Antônio Carlos Zago, the former Roma defender who took charge of the team in 2023, seems to transform everything as progress occurs almost immediately. Bolivia has remained unbeaten ever since and even secured their first away victory in 31 years, triumphing over Chile 2-1 last September. They are now positioned sixth, with the opportunity to qualify still wide open.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Bolivia’s Tactical Innovations Under Villegas
It is fascinating to observe how they have turned the tide. The adjustments the former Always Ready manager has introduced to the team are not solely tactical. They significantly influence the squad as Roberto Fernández and Co. shift formations from 4-2-3-1 under Zago, with Marcelo Moreno leading the attack, to the aggressive 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 under Villegas’s guidance. Yet there is something beyond that. Here is how Bolivia changes the trajectory of their qualifying campaign.
The arrival of Villegas seems to have a much deeper influence than just the team configuration. People believe he recommended moving away from the iconic Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz to the Estadio Municipal de El Alto. It is a smaller venue in comparison to the former, with a capacity of only 22,000 spectators.
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Such a shift was quite unconventional. However, the venue proves to be beneficial since it is situated in El Alto, the highest city in the world, at an altitude of 4,090 meters, even higher than La Paz, which sits at ‘only’ 3,650 meters above sea level. Bolivia has just achieved their third unbeaten run at the home ground of Villegas’s former team, Always Ready, following a 1-0 victory over Colombia in a recent FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier.
Bolivia’s New Approach in FIFA 2026 Qualifiers
They warrant their choice because opposing teams no longer find La Paz to be the intimidating venue it once was, having discovered ways to acclimate to the altitude challenge. In the current qualifiers, only Argentina and Ecuador have been able to secure three points there.
Holding matches in La Paz was once criticized. In the late 2000s, FIFA prohibited playing games in high-altitude stadiums located at elevations of 2,000 to 3,000 meters above sea level, which certainly affected Bolivia. Fortunately, FIFA’s then-president, Sepp Blatter, lifted this ban completely in 2010 by stating that the issue of altitude was no longer their concern.
Following the retirement of the all-time leading scorer for the Bolivia national team, Marcelo Moreno, Villegas was resolute in revitalizing the team by reconstructing the squad with younger players. The 54-year-old manager overlooked several senior names in the lineup, including 37-year-old goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, seasoned defenders Adrián Jusino (aged 32) and Jesús Segredo (30). USA Journey in FIFA World Cup 2026.
Midfielders Leonel Justiniano (32) and Fernando Saucedo (34), along with the strongest striker, Rodrigo Ramallo, regularly featured in the starting eleven. All three were last summoned for Copa America 2024, prior to Villegas taking charge. In the current squad, the oldest player is their shot-stopper, 31-year-old Guillermo Viscarra.
FIFA World Cup: Roberto Fernández’s Versatility Shines
In his 4-3-3 formation, Villegas sometimes utilizes left back Roberto Fernandez as a left winger, which has proven to be effective. As he provided two assists in a 2-1 win over Chile away from home. The adaptable wingback is currently playing for Russian Premier Liga club FC Akron Tolyatti.
Meanwhile, the player leading the attack is Carmelo Algarañaz, the forward for the Greek second-tier club, Kalamata, supported by the promising talent from Santos, Miguel Terceros. The 20-year-old right winger has scored three goals in the qualifiers, including the sole goal in the 1-0 victory over James Rodriguez’s Colombia.
If Bolivia continues to perform strongly and maintains its positive momentum. It could return to the USA for the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals after its disappointing run in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Erwin Sánchez and his team failed to advance to the second round at that time, managing to secure only one point in three matches.
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