Bolivia's do-or-die v Suriname: World Cup dream after 32 years | OneFootball

Bolivia faces a historic test this Thursday. In the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup Playoff, the Altiplano side will take on Suriname with the goal of moving to within one step of the biggest stage in North America.

Match details

The match will kick off at 19:00 (Argentina time) at BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico. The action on the field will be overseen by Australian referee Alireza Faghani, and the game will be broadcast live on DSports.

“La Verde’s” path and the weight of history

Bolivia reaches this stage after a solid campaign in the South American Qualifiers, where it finished seventh with 20 points. That performance allowed it to finish ahead of direct rivals such as Venezuela, Peru, and Chile, keeping alive the hope of returning to a World Cup after more than three decades away (its last appearance was at the United States 1994 tournament).

If it secures qualification, it would be the country’s fourth World Cup appearance, having previously taken part in Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, and the aforementioned 1994 tournament, although it is still seeking to end the streak and earn its first-ever win in the final stage of a World Cup.

The opponent and what comes next

On the other side is Suriname, one of Concacaf’s surprise teams. The Caribbean side secured a dramatic place in the Playoff after finishing second in Group A, edging out Honduras only on goals scored in the third round.

What happens if Bolivia wins? The winner of this matchup will advance to the final of the bracket, where Iraq is already waiting. That decisive clash will be played next March 31, also in the city of Monterrey.

South American schedule: high-profile friendlies for Brazil and Colombia

While Bolivia fights for its place, other regional powers that have already qualified will use the FIFA international window to face elite European opponents:

These matchups represent top-level preparation for Brazil and Colombia, setting them apart from Argentina’s current schedule during this international window.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.