Venezuela Soars to New Heights: A Thrilling Showdown Against Bolivia in the Qualifying Rounds
Bolivia Aims to Secure Second Victory in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Against Venezuela
The Bolivian national team, led by new coach Óscar Villegas, is set to face Venezuela in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the high-altitude stadium in El Alto. The team has been training at the stadium, located over 4,000 meters above sea level, in an effort to improve their performance and secure their second victory in the qualifiers.
Villegas, who took over as coach in July, made the decision to change the team’s home stadium from the Hernando Siles in La Paz to the Municipality of El Alto. This move is aimed at giving the team a better chance of winning, as the higher altitude can be challenging for visiting teams.
The Bolivian team will be without international midfielder Boris Céspedes, who was injured in a match for his club, and youth player Adalid Terrazas, who has joined a new team in Algeria. Despite these setbacks, the team is determined to secure a win against Venezuela, who are currently fourth in the South American qualifiers.
Venezuela, led by Argentine coach Fernando “Bocha” Batista, come into the game after an impressive performance in the continental tournament. They went through the group stage unbeaten and were eliminated in the quarter-finals in a penalty shootout against Canada. This performance earned them a significant increase in the latest FIFA rankings, moving them up to 37th place.
In contrast, Bolivia failed to progress from the group stage of the Copa América and are currently ranked 89th in the FIFA rankings. The team will need to be at their best if they are to secure a win against Venezuela, who have a strong squad and are looking to maintain their position in the qualifiers.
The match is expected to be a challenging one for both teams, with the high altitude and thin air likely to affect the players’ performance. Venezuela has chosen to arrive in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, located about 400 meters above sea level, before moving to El Alto on the day of the match. This tactic is often used by teams playing at high altitude, as it allows them to acclimate to the conditions before the match.
The starting lineup for Venezuela is likely to include Yeferson Soteldo, Eduard Bello, Jon Aramburu, Salomón Rondón, and captain Tomás Rincón. The team’s goalkeeper is expected to be Rafael Romo, although Alain Baroja, who is familiar with the El Alto stadium, may also be considered.