Bolivia Claims Shocking Victory Over Brazil in Critical World Cup Qualifier

Historic Upset in El Alto

In a stunning turn of events, Bolivia secured a historic 1-0 victory over five-time World Cup winners Brazil, with Miguel Terceros converting a crucial penalty in first-half stoppage time. The match, played on September 9, 2025, proved to be a defining moment for the Bolivian national team.

High Stakes at High Altitude

The match took place at Estadio Municipal El Alto, situated at an impressive altitude of 4,100 meters (13,412 feet) above sea level, creating challenging conditions for the visiting Brazilian squad.

For Bolivia, this victory carried immense significance. Having participated in only three World Cups (1930, 1950, and 1994), the team has shown remarkable improvement by winning five qualifiers – their highest tally in over 30 years. The win kept their hopes alive for securing a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.

Match Impact and Standings

While Brazil had already secured their place in next year’s World Cup, they faced this match with several notable absences. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had chosen to omit Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo from his squad, while Neymar was sidelined with a leg problem. The team was also without Casemiro due to suspension, and several other players were unavailable due to injuries.

Bolivia will now advance to the playoffs, where they will compete against teams from CONCACAF, as well as representatives from the African, Asian, and Oceania confederations, for one of the final spots in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Looking Ahead

The qualified teams for the 2026 World Cup so far include hosts Canada, United States, and Mexico, along with Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Australia, Jordan, and New Zealand.