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

The Bolivia national team faces a historic test this Thursday. In the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup Playoffs, the Altiplano side will take on Suriname aiming to move 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. Australian referee Alireza Faghani will be in charge on the field, 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 a spot, it would be the country’s fourth World Cup appearance, having previously featured in Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, and the aforementioned 1994 edition, although it is still looking to break the streak and earn its first victory 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 packages. The Caribbean team secured a dramatic place in the Playoffs after finishing second in Group A, edging Honduras only on goals scored in the third round.

What happens if Bolivia wins? The winner of this clash will advance to the bracket final, where Iraq is already waiting. That decisive match will be played on 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 window to face elite European opponents:

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

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