The Bolivia vs Brazil men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 19:30 local time at Estadio Municipal de El Alto in El Alto, Bolivia. Bolivia will need a win to keep their CONMEBOL Qualifications hopes alive, while Brazil have already secured their place in the tournament.
The Brazilian football Team has already qualified, while Bolivia (17 pts) must win to stay in contention for the playoff spot. Bolivia sits 8th, one point behind Venezuela in 7th (the inter-confederation playoff spot).
On Matchday 18, only Bolivia and Venezuela still fight for the playoff berth. Brazil can experiment freely, but will not underestimate any opponent.
Bolivia vs Brazil 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – key players, Match info, Predicted starting XIs, Prediction
Table of Contents
- Date & Time: Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Kickoff is at 7:30 PM local time (El Alto, Bolivia)
- Venue: Estadio Municipal Villa Ingenio (El Alto, La Paz, Bolivia) – at ~4,150 m altitude.
Bolivia has deliberately moved home games to this high-altitude stadium to exploit their acclimatisation.
Bolivia – Tactics and Squad
Formation & Style:
Under coach Óscar Villegas, Bolivia tends to set up compactly (often 3-4-3 or 4-3-3) and emphasize high-intensity pressing and quick counter-attacks.
Villegas has spoken of a “dynamic” team with high pressure and good transitions. In their recent 4-0 win over Venezuela at El Alto, Bolivia used a 3-4-3 shape, with wingbacks and forwards pressing from the front.
The high press is meant to force turnovers and exhaust opponents in the thin air. At home, they exploit their altitude edge – opponents often tire quickly on Bolivian soil
Strengths:
The chief strength is physical intensity and home advantage. The Bolivian players (many raised at altitude) sustain energy longer than visiting teams. Their pace and work rate on counterattacks can catch opponents off guard. Recent results show they can be dangerous at El Alto – e.g. wins against Venezuela (4-0) and Chile (2-0).
Weaknesses
Bolivia lacks top-class individual talent compared to Brazil. Their buildup from the back can be slow, and they may struggle if Brazil retains possession and breaks the press. Defensively, they are vulnerable on set plays and if they overcommit to press.
Outside high altitude, Bolivia’s away form is poor historically. Injuries/suspensions have hit their ranks: veteran defender Luis Chávez is suspended and misses this match, weakening the back line.
Key Players
Miguel “Miguelito” Terceros (AM/winger): The 21-year-old is Bolivia’s main creative outlet and top scorer. He has netted crucial goals (including a long-range screamer vs Venezuela and winners vs Chile, Colombia). His dribbling and shooting make him the focal point of Bolivia’s attack.
José Sagredo (winger/full-back): Versatile attacker often used on the flanks. He scored penalties in recent games and provides energy on the right side.
Héctor Haquin (center-back): A tall, aggressive defender who will marshal the back line. Experienced and strong in aerial duels.
Carlos Lampe (GK): Veteran goalkeeper (on loan at Bolívar) with altitude experience, vital for organizing defense in high-stress games. (Guillermo Viscarra is his alternate at GK.)
Ervin Vaca / Ramiro Vaca (midfielders): Young midfield runners who help in transitions; Ramiro scored in the Venezuela win
Team News
Villegas has called a 28-player squad heavy on overseas-based players. Notable inclusions include defender Lucas Macazaga (Spain), midfielder Óscar López (Mallorca), and first-time call-ups Dario Torrico and Gustavo Peredo. Absences are mostly due to form or injury; aside from the suspended Chávez, the core group from recent games stays intact.
Villegas will rely on bolstering fitness and will, once again, try to use relentless pressure to unsettle Brazil.
Recent Form
Since the last international break, Bolivia won at home (4-0 vs Venezuela and 2-0 vs Chile. ) but lost 3-0 at Colombia. In September 2023, Brazil beat Bolivia 5-1 away, showing the gap in quality.
Currently Bolivia has 17 points (5W-2D-10L), and only a win (plus results elsewhere) can give them a chance at the playoff.
Brazil – Tactics and Squad
Formation & Style:
Brazil usually line up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. New coach Carlo Ancelotti has promised attacking, possession-based football – “My Brazil will play like Real Madrid (of last year),” he said.
In practice, early Ancelotti teams showed controlled buildup with creative midfielders advancing to support the attack. The wing-backs and wide forwards (Raphinha, Martinelli, etc.) stretch play, while a double pivot (likely Casemiro with Bruno Guimarães) shields the defense and transitions quickly.
Brazil aims to dominate possessio–n, but they have sometimes lacked high press; under Ancelotti they may press selectively rather than maniacally.
Strengths
Brazil’s individual quality and depth stand out. Veterans Marquinhos (CB captain) and Alisson (GK) solidify the back. In midfield, Casemiro (holding) and Bruno Guimarães (box-to-box) form a strong spine.
Up front, the squad includes talented attackers like Raphinha (winger), Richarlison (forward) and Gabriel Martinelli (winger/forward), plus young Estevão Willian (17) showing promise.
Even with some stars rested, Brazil can field a powerful lineup. They have technical mastery and fast ball circulation.
Weaknesses
Brazil is adapting to a new coach and personnel changes. Key stars are absent: Neymar (injury/technical rest) has again not been called, and young Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo (the main creative talents) are also rested.
This means other players must step up to supply goals. The team has not fully gelled into Ancelotti’s “Real Madrid style” yet. At high altitude, Brazil’s fast-paced passing game may be blunted – fatigue could set in as the game wears on, so how they manage their energy will be crucial. Defensively, Brazil are solid but can be caught out by swift counters if their midfield is bypassed.
Key Players:
- Bruno Guimarães (DM/CM): The creative midfielder (Newcastle) will likely play in front of Casemiro. He breaks lines with passes and late runs.
- Casemiro (DM): The former Real Madrid star (Man Utd) anchors midfield, protecting the defense and recycling possession. His presence deters Bolivian counters.
- Raphinha (RW): The Brazilian winger (Barcelona) can beat defenders one-on-one and deliver crosses or cut inside to shoot.
- Richarlison (CF): The center-forward (Tottenham) is strong in the air and on the ground; his runs can split the Bolivian backline.
- Gabriel Martinelli (LW): If played, this Arsenal winger provides pace and direct attacking threat on the left.
- Marquinhos (CB): Veteran Paris Saint-Germain defender, experienced and commanding; he will organize the Brazilian defense.
- Alisson (GK): Liverpool’s goalkeeper (if selected ahead of Bento) offers confidence and shot-stopping at a high level.
(Also in squad: Lucas Paquetá, Kaio Jorge, and newcomers like Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro – who are potential impact subs.)
Bolivia vs Brazil Team News
Ancelotti’s first squad for this window blends veterans and newcomers. The coach conspicuously omitted Neymar again, citing fitness/technical reasons. OneFootball confirmed Wesley Freire (Roma) earns a rare call-up.
Aside from that, the selection follows the August 2025 announcement: Goalkeepers Alisson/Bento/Hugo, Defenders (Alex Sandro, Caio Henrique, Dougláo Santos, Gabriel (Arsenal), Marquinhos, Vanderson, Wesley), Midfielders (Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, Lucas Paquetá, Joelinton, Andrey Santos), Forwards (Estevão Willian, Martinelli, Joao Pedro, Raphinha, Richarlison, etc.).
ll players should be fit; none of Brazil’s main defenders (like Alex Sandro or Gabriel) have notable injuries reported. The atmosphere may be one of cautious experimentation, but Brazil will expect to impose their quality.
Bolivia vs Brazil – Recent Form
Brazil have been inconsistent in qualifiers but ultimately secured qualification. In 2023-25 qualifying, Brazil beat Bolivia 5-1 in Brazil (Sept 2023)and won 3-0 at Chile in September 2025. They have a few draws (0-0 at Ecuador, 1-1 v Venezuela) under Ancelotti, and a 1-0 win over Paraguay just before this window.
Overall, Brazil sit 2nd/3rd in CONMEBOL with 28 points(qualified). Their form under Ancelotti is still a work in progress, but the quality edge over Bolivia is clear.
Bolivia vs Brazil Head-to-Head
Brazil have historically dominated Bolivia. Their last meeting was on Matchday 1 (Sept 2023), when Brazil won 5-1 at home. Even at altitude, Brazil have often won (Bolivia’s last home win vs Brazil was back in 2017)
Standings
After 17 games, Brazil has 28 pts (qualified automatically) and Bolivia 17 pts. The final round (MD18) sees Bolivia (3rd from bottom) needing a win and favorable results from Venezuela’s game to reach 7th. Brazil has nothing to lose.
| Position | Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Brazil | 17 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 16 | +8 | 28 |
| 8 | Bolivia | 17 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 16 | 35 | -19 | 17 |
Why South American 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification is important for Bolivia and Brazil?
The South American 2026 World Cup qualification holds great significance for both Bolivia and Brazil as it offers a pathway to the FIFA World Cup tournament.
Bolivia needs a victory to keep their hopes alive (or any advantage if tied at points with Venezuela). A draw or loss would end their slim qualification chances.
Brazil cannot change their fate in standings, but a strong performance will build momentum ahead of the World Cup and satisfy expectations.
