Bolivia Defeats Brazil, Secures 2026 World Cup Playoff Spot

Bolivia secured a historic 1-0 victory over Brazil in the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers, with Miguel Terceros scoring a decisive penalty just before halftime. This win, combined with Venezuela's 6-3 loss to Colombia, allowed Bolivia to claim seventh place and advance to the intercontinental playoff, keeping their dream of returning to the World Cup alive for the first time since 1994. Brazil finished with their worst qualifying record ever, while Colombia's Luis Suárez scored four goals in their comeback against Venezuela, further intensifying the competition. The intercontinental playoff, scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, will feature six teams from different confederations competing for two remaining World Cup spots. Bolivia represents CONMEBOL in this playoff, which includes teams from Concacaf, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, with a format involving semifinals and finals based on FIFA rankings. This achievement marks a significant moment for Bolivian football as they aim to qualify for the World Cup for only the second time in their history.