The qualifying campaign for the FIFA World Cup 26™ has entered its decisive stage, with nations and regions across the globe confirming their participation in the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The draw for the group stage will take place in Washington, USA, on Friday 5 December (local time), where the 48 participating teams will be divided into twelve groups of four. At present, however, six places remain unconfirmed. These will be decided next March through the European Play-Offs (four berths) and the Intercontinental Play-Offs (two berths). Bolivia, who finished seventh in the South American Qualifiers, still harbour hopes of qualification via the latter route.

Bolivia secured their place in the Intercontinental Play-Offs in dramatic fashion. Entering the final matchday of the CONMEBOL Qualifiers in eighth position and trailing Venezuela by a single point, they required victory and favourable results elsewhere. While Venezuela suffered a 3–6 home defeat to Colombia after initially taking the lead, Bolivia overcame Brazil 1–0 in El Alto – a city located more than 4,100 metres above sea level – to leapfrog their rivals and claim seventh place, thereby earning the right to contest the play-offs.

Qualification through the Intercontinental Play-Offs would see Bolivia return to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in eight editions, their most recent appearance coming at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™. Although they exited at the group stage on that occasion, the tournament represented the pinnacle of Bolivia’s golden generation, featuring Marco ETCHEVERRY and Erwin SANCHEZ. The team was led by Spanish head coach Xabier AZKARGORTA, who later managed Yokohama Marinos (now Yokohama F. Marinos), and the squad also included Julio Cesar BALDIVIESO, who subsequently joined Yokohama M.

Bolivia last faced SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) in March 2019 during the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2019, narrowly losing 0–1 to a decisive strike from NAKAJIMA Shoya. The side was then managed by Eduardo VILLEGAS, elder brother of current head coach Oscar VILLEGAS. Defenders Roberto FERNANDEZ and Luis HAQUIN, who appeared in that fixture at 19 and 21 years of age respectively, have since developed into key members of the current squad. The next generation is also emerging, led by 21-year-old Miguel TERCEROS – the team’s top scorer in the South American Qualifiers with seven goals – and 18-year-old Moises PANIAGUA, who caught the eye at this year’s South American U-20 Championship.

Reflecting on that previous encounter, Japan head coach MORIYASU Hajime remarked: “We struggled to break down their solid defence but managed to claim a hard-fought victory.” He described Bolivia as “a team combining the physical intensity typical of South American sides with notable resilience.” Although the current squad does not include players active in Europe’s top five leagues, Moriyasu added: “We can expect this Bolivian side to approach the match with full commitment and determination.”

Results of last 5 matches
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

Record against Japan

1 draw 2 losses (1 goal for, 4 goals against)

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: 3

1930　Group stage
1934　Did not participate
1938　Did not participate
1950　Group stage (1st Round)
1954　Eliminated in the qualifier
1958　Eliminated in the qualifier
1962　Eliminated in the qualifier
1966　Eliminated in the qualifier
1970　Eliminated in the qualifier
1974　Eliminated in the qualifier
1978　Eliminated in the qualifier
1982　Eliminated in the qualifier
1986　Eliminated in the qualifier
1990　Eliminated in the qualifier
1994　Group stage
1998　Eliminated in the qualifier
2002　Eliminated in the qualifier
2006　Eliminated in the qualifier
2010　Eliminated in the qualifier
2014　Eliminated in the qualifier
2018　Eliminated in the qualifier
2022　Eliminated in the qualifier

Data on the opposing country

◇FIFA Rankings (as of 10 July 2025): 78th
◇Record against Japan: 1 draw 2 losses (1 goal for, 4 goals against)

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