Bolivia's World Cup Appearances: A Comprehensive Overview

Bolivia has qualified for the World Cup on three occasions: in 1930, 1950, and 1994. They were invited to compete in the first two tournaments and qualified for the third after beating Brazil in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers. Bolivia has not won a World Cup game, drawing one and losing the other five games they have played. Their only World Cup goal was scored by Erwin Sánchez during their 1-3 defeat against Spain in 1994.

Bolivia's first World Cup was in 1930

Bolivia's first World Cup appearance was in 1930, when they were one of 13 teams in the inaugural tournament. The Bolivian team had never won an international match before their debut in the 1930 World Cup, and they failed to secure a victory in either of their games in the group stage. They lost 4-0 to both Yugoslavia and Brazil, and did not advance to the semi-finals.

The 1930 FIFA World Cup was held in Uruguay, and Bolivia was one of seven South American teams to participate—the most in any World Cup Finals. The tournament was hosted in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo, and the majority of matches were played in the purpose-built Estadio Centenario. Bolivia's matches against Yugoslavia and Brazil were both held at the Estadio Parque Central.

Bolivia's participation in the 1930 World Cup was marked by a unique tribute to the host country. For their opening match, the Bolivian players wore shirts emblazoned with a single letter each, spelling out "Viva Uruguay" as the team lined up. However, their performance on the pitch was less impressive. Against Yugoslavia, they managed to hold out for an hour before conceding, but eventually lost 4-0. Their match against Brazil followed a similar pattern, with Bolivia conceding three goals in the second half and losing by the same scoreline.

Despite their early exit, Bolivia made history as one of the first participants in the inaugural FIFA World Cup. The tournament has since become the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, and Bolivia has continued to pursue football glory on the international stage.

They have attended three World Cups in total

Bolivia have attended the World Cup three times: in 1930, 1950, and 1994. On each occasion, they did not progress past the group stage. They have played six matches, drawing one and losing the other five. Bolivia's sole World Cup goal was scored by Erwin Sánchez during their 1-3 defeat to Spain in 1994.

The Bolivian national football team, nicknamed La Verde, has represented the country in men's international football since 1926. Bolivia debuted in international football in 1926, a year after the Bolivian Football Federation was founded, and joined FIFA the same year. Bolivia was one of 13 teams in the inaugural World Cup in 1930. In their first match, they lost 4-0 to Yugoslavia, and they lost their second match by the same score to Brazil. Bolivia returned for the 1950 World Cup, where they lost their only match 8-0 to Uruguay.

Bolivia's greatest football achievement was winning the 1963 South American Championship title, which they hosted and won while remaining undefeated. Bolivia surprisingly became the first team to beat Brazil in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers while playing them in La Paz, with a 2–0 win, and qualified for the 1994 World Cup. Bolivia were drawn into the tournament's Group C and played defending champions Germany in the opening match. Bolivia lost on a controversial offside goal by Jürgen Klinsmann. After a goalless draw with South Korea, Bolivia lost 3–1 to Spain, with Sánchez scoring Bolivia's first-ever World Cup goal.

In 2021, the Bolivian Football Federation's new president, Fernando Costa Sarmiento, lamented the deteriorating condition of football in Bolivia and vowed to rebuild the country's football system. Bolivia's home matches are played at Estadio Hernando Siles, one of the highest football stadiums in the world.

They have never advanced past the group stage

Bolivia has qualified for the World Cup on three occasions: in 1930, 1950, and 1994. However, they have never advanced past the group stage. In their six matches, they have drawn one and lost five, with their only goal coming against Spain in a 3-1 defeat in 1994, scored by Erwin Sánchez.

In the 1930 World Cup, Bolivia was drawn into Group 2, where they lost both their games 4-0 to Yugoslavia and Brazil. Bolivia's only game in the 1950 World Cup was an 8-0 defeat to Uruguay, as three teams declined to play in Brazil, leaving Bolivia in a group of two. Bolivia's most recent World Cup appearance was in 1994, where they were placed in Group C alongside defending champions Germany, South Korea, and Spain. They lost their first match to Germany, with the sole goal of the game coming from an offside position. Bolivia then drew 0-0 with South Korea but lost their final game 3-1 to Spain, with Sánchez scoring the first-ever Bolivian goal in a World Cup.

Bolivia's national football team, nicknamed La Verde, has represented the country in men's international football since 1926. They are managed by Óscar Villegas and play their home matches at Estadio Hernando Siles, one of the highest football stadiums in the world, with an altitude of 3,637 meters (11,932 ft) above sea level. While the high altitude has given Bolivia a home-field advantage, it has also been a subject of controversy, with FIFA imposing and then lifting bans on playing World Cup Qualifying matches at high altitudes.

Despite their early exits from the World Cup, Bolivia has found success in other competitions. They won the Copa América in 1963 and finished as runners-up in 1997, advancing to the quarter-finals in both tournaments. In 2015, Bolivia reached the quarter-finals of the Copa América for the first time since 1997, defeating Ecuador 3-2. Additionally, in 2023, Bolivia registered its first-ever away win against a World Cup team in the 21st century, beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in a friendly match.

Bolivia has only scored one World Cup goal

Bolivia have qualified for the World Cup on three occasions: in 1930, 1950, and 1994. However, they have only scored one World Cup goal in their history, during their 1994 campaign.

Bolivia's first two appearances in the World Cup ended without a goal. In 1930, Bolivia was one of 13 teams in the inaugural World Cup. They lost both their games 4-0, first to Yugoslavia and then to Brazil. Bolivia returned for the 1950 World Cup, where they suffered an 8-0 defeat to Uruguay in their only game.

In 1994, Bolivia qualified for the World Cup for the third time. They were drawn into Group C and played the defending champions, Germany, in the tournament's opening match. Bolivia put up a strong performance in the first half but eventually lost the game. In their next match, they drew 0-0 with South Korea. Bolivia then faced Spain in their final group stage game. Erwin Sánchez scored Bolivia's first-ever World Cup goal in this match, but it was not enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat. Bolivia were eliminated from the tournament, having lost two games and drawn one.

Despite their limited success in World Cup tournaments, Bolivia has found success in other competitions. They won the Copa América 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. Additionally, Bolivia registered its first-ever away win against a World Cup team in the 21st century, with a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2023.

This was scored by Erwin Sánchez in 1994

Bolivia have qualified for the World Cup on three occasions: in 1930, 1950, and 1994. In the 1994 World Cup, Bolivia was drawn into Group C and played the defending champions Germany in the tournament's opening match at Soldier Field in Chicago. Bolivia lost that match 1-0, with the sole goal coming from Jürgen Klinsmann. They then drew 0-0 with South Korea at Foxboro Stadium, before returning to Chicago to play Spain in their final group game.

It was in this final group game that Erwin Sánchez scored Bolivia's first-ever World Cup goal. Bolivia lost the match 3-1, with Sánchez's goal coming in the 8th minute to give his side a short-lived lead. This was the country's only goal in three appearances in World Cup tournaments. Bolivia were eliminated in the group stage, having not won a game, drawing one, and losing the other two.

Sánchez was a leading player for Bolivia, helping the nation qualify for the 1994 World Cup. He appeared in a total of 57 matches over 16 years, scoring 15 times. After retiring from playing in 2005, he went on to manage the Bolivia national team from 2006 to 2009.

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