Venezuela Takes On Bolivia In Huge FIFA 2026 World Cup Clash

Forbes

2 days ago

Eduard Bello of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the CONMEBOL Copa ... More America 2024 Group B match between Ecuador and Venezuela at Levi's Stadium on June 22, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.
The biggest game in South American FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying this week doesn't involve the likes of Brazil or Argentina. It is a gigantic fixture between two teams vying for a World Cup play-off spot; Venezuela and Bolivia.
Venezuela and Bolivia have comfortably been the two least successful soccer nations in South America in modern history. Bolivia hasn't qualified for the World Cup since 1994 and Venezuela has never made the finals of the tournament in the history of the national team. Thankfully for them the likes of Peru and Chile have seen massive dips in form.
17 JUN 1994: BOLIVIAN FANS HOLD UP THEIR NATIONAL FLAG DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE 1994 ... More WORLD CUP AT SOLDIER FIELD IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.
For one of these international teams things could soon change as they battle for a play-off birth at the FIFA 2026 World Cup. On Friday night Venezuela hosts Bolivia in a game where a win would see either team move into seventh place and a draw would leave Venezuela in seventh for now, but just one point ahead of Bolivia.
A play-off victory for either nation would mean that they could become the seventh team to represent CONMEBOL and the continent of South America at the World Cup next summer. Rest assured that the Monumental de Maturín stadium in Venezuela will be absolutely bouncing for this one.
Salomon Rondon of Venezuela celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the South of American ... More FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier between Venezuela and Peru at Estadio Monumental de Monagas on March 25, 2025 in Maturin, Venezuela.
Despite being just one point behind Venezuela, Bolivia has a -16 goal differential to Venezuela's -4 and this begins to tell us a little bit about their story. Bolivia has been less consistent and lost eight from 14, where Venezuela has only lost 5 and picked up more draws.
Generally this is because Bolivia is a completely different beast at home and away. Bolivia is probably the worst team in South American qualifying but results at home in the fierce altitude of El Alto has seen the side creep up the table.
Draws at home to Uruguay and Paraguay and victories against Colombia and Venezuela simply would not have been attained at sea level. Opposition players have been seen fighting for breath and leaving oxygen tanks at the side of the pitch when they come to play Bolivia.
Bolivia's defender #04 Luis Haquin and Uruguay's defender #02 Jose Maria Gimenez jump to head the ... More ball during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Bolivia and Uruguay at the Municipal de El Alto stadium in El Alto, Bolivia, on March 25, 2025.
Venezuela started this campaign bravely but have struggled as of late. Last time out a home victory against Peru might have been enough to salvage their year and put them back on track for qualification, but now they must do it again.
Bolivia may be buoyed by the altitude, but the truth is that Venezuela and Ecuador are the only teams unbeaten in home qualifiers so far. This doesn't take away from the fact that home advantage is what makes Bolivia competitive, it just means Venezuela also takes most of its points when they are hosting. A massive boost for 'vino tinto' fans ahead of Friday, where visiting Bolivia is the massive underdog despite being just one point away.
After this tie there are still three games for each team to play, but fixtures suggest that this game will be the most important for Venezuela and Bolivia. A draw on Friday would leave the chase wide open, but a victory for either would be a huge push towards seventh place and a shot at a historic trip to the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Players of Venezuela celebrate during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group B match between Venezuela ... More and Mexico at SoFi Stadium on June 26, 2024 in Inglewood, California.