Bolivia's Prospects For Hosting The Fifa World Cup

Bolivia has participated in the FIFA World Cup on three occasions, in 1930, 1950, and 1994. The country has a rich football history, with the Bolivia national football team, nicknamed La Verde, representing the nation in international competitions since 1926. Bolivia has faced challenges in advancing past the initial stages of the World Cup but has found success in other tournaments, such as their victory in the Copa América in 1963 and their runner-up finish in 1997 as hosts. With a passionate football culture and a strong desire to improve their performance on the world stage, the question arises: Can Bolivia host a FIFA World Cup in the future?

Bolivia's FIFA World Cup history

It wasn't until 1994 that Bolivia qualified for the World Cup again, this time by finishing second in their group behind Brazil. In the tournament, they were drawn into Group C and played the defending champions Germany in the opening match, losing 1-0. They then drew 0-0 with South Korea and lost 3-1 to Spain, with Erwin Sánchez scoring Bolivia's first-ever goal in a World Cup. Bolivia has never advanced past the first round of any World Cup and has only qualified three times in total.

Despite their lack of success in the World Cup, Bolivia has had more success in other competitions, such as the Copa América, which they won in 1963 and finished as runners-up in 1997. In 2015, they advanced to the quarter-finals of the Copa América for the first time since 1997, defeating Ecuador 3-2.

Bolivia's chances of hosting the FIFA World Cup

Bolivia has only qualified for the FIFA World Cup on three occasions, in 1930, 1950, and 1994. In the 1930 and 1950 editions, Bolivia was drawn into groups with fewer than four teams, allowing those years' squads to earn fewer caps. Bolivia has played in six matches at the finals but has only managed one draw and suffered five losses. Their only World Cup goal came against Spain in a 1-3 defeat in 1994, scored by Erwin Sánchez.

Bolivia has a rich football history, having been a part of FIFA since 1926 and competing in international football since the same year. They are one of the ten members of FIFA's South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). Despite their World Cup performances, Bolivia has found success in other competitions, such as winning the Copa América in 1963 and finishing as runners-up in 1997, both of which they hosted. They also reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 Copa América in Chile, advancing past the group stage for the first time since 1997.

The country has suitable infrastructure, as evidenced by their home matches being played at Estadio Hernando Siles, one of the highest football stadiums in the world. While the stadium's high altitude initially sparked controversy, with some arguing it gave Bolivia an unfair advantage, FIFA ultimately removed the altitude restrictions in 2008.

Bolivia's football system has faced recent setbacks, with the Bolivian Football Federation's President, Fernando Costa Sarmiento, expressing concern over its deteriorating condition in 2021. He vowed to rebuild the country's football system with a more professional approach.

Despite their challenges, Bolivia has shown a recent resurgence in their World Cup qualifying campaign, defeating Venezuela 4-0 in a high-altitude qualifier. This indicates that Bolivia is capable of competing and could potentially strengthen their case for hosting the World Cup in the future.

The Bolivian Football Federation (FBF)

Bolivia has qualified for the World Cup on three occasions: 1930, 1950, and 1994. In 1930 and 1950, Bolivia was invited to compete, and in 1994, they qualified for the first time. Bolivia has never advanced past the first round of any World Cup and has only scored one goal, in 1994. Bolivia's first match in 1926 was against Chile, and they scored first but were ultimately defeated 7-1. Bolivia's only goal at a World Cup was scored by Erwin Sánchez during their 1–3 defeat against Spain in 1994.

Bolivia has had more success in the Copa América, winning the tournament in 1963, and finishing as runners-up in 1997, hosting the tournament in both years. Bolivia also made it to the quarter-finals of the 2015 Copa América in Chile, their first appearance in the knockout stage since 1997, after defeating Ecuador 3–2.

In 2021, the FBF's new President, Fernando Costa Sarmiento, lamented the state of football in Bolivia and vowed to rebuild the country's football system, aiming for a more professional approach.

Bolivia's performance in the 1994 World Cup

Bolivia has participated in the FIFA World Cup, a competition held between men's national teams every four years, on three occasions: in 1930, 1950, and 1994. Their performance in the 1994 World Cup, hosted by the United States, is worth highlighting.

Bolivia's journey to the 1994 World Cup began in the qualification phase, where they were placed in Group B. They achieved a notable 2-0 victory over Brazil in La Paz, ending Brazil's unbeaten run in the qualifiers. Bolivia ultimately finished second in their group, securing their qualification for the tournament.

In the final phase of the World Cup, Bolivia was drawn into Group C, alongside defending champions Germany, South Korea, and Spain. In their opening match, they faced Germany at Soldier Field and put up a strong performance in the first half. However, the game took a turn in the second half when a high elbow collision between Germany's Lothar Matthäus and Bolivia's Marco "El Diablo" Etcheverry resulted in Etcheverry's red card. Bolivia eventually lost the game due to an offside goal by Jürgen Klinsmann.

Bolivia's second group match was against South Korea at Foxboro Stadium. The game ended in a goalless draw, but Bolivia had to play with ten men again after Luis Cristaldo received a red card.

In their final group game, Bolivia faced Spain in Chicago and lost 3-1. However, this match marked a historic moment for Bolivia as they scored their first and only goal in a World Cup. Erwin Sánchez found the back of the net for Bolivia, ending a drought of six World Cup matches without a goal.

Despite their efforts, Bolivia was eliminated in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup, failing to advance past the first round. This outcome aligned with their performances in the 1930 and 1950 editions, where they were also unable to progress beyond the initial groups. Bolivia's sole World Cup goal in 1994 against Spain remains a memorable highlight of their World Cup history.

The Estadio Hernando Siles stadium

Estadio Hernando Siles, also known as Estadio Olimpico La Paz, is a multi-purpose stadium in La Paz, Bolivia. It is the country's largest stadium, with a capacity of 41,143 seats. The stadium is located in the Miraflores borough of La Paz, at an altitude of 3,637 metres (11,932 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest professional stadiums in the world.

The stadium was built in the late 1920s to provide Bolivia with a proper football venue and was officially opened on 16 January 1930, with a match between local La Paz teams The Strongest and Universitario, with The Strongest winning 4-1. The stadium was named after the then-president of Bolivia, Hernando Siles, and could initially hold 25,000 spectators.

The stadium has been the site of significant moments in Bolivian football history, including a 2-0 defeat of Brazil in 1994, which was Brazil's first defeat in 40 years of playing qualifiers, and a 7-0 defeat of Venezuela in the same year. These results helped Bolivia qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the USA, their first qualification since 1950. Estadio Hernando Siles also hosted Bolivia's games in the 1997 Copa América, including the final, where they lost to Brazil.

In 2007, FIFA banned World Cup qualifying games from being played at stadiums with an altitude over 3,000 metres, but La Paz was given dispensation. The ban was revoked entirely in 2008.

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