Blooming Bolivia look to lay long-term foundations
Bolivia head into the Play-Off Tournament with one of South America's youngest squads as they look to end a 32-year World Cup absence.
Villegas preparing to lead Bolivia in FIFA World Cup Play-Off
La Verde to face Suriname prior to potential clash with Iraq
South Americans have average age of 24 in tournament squad
Oscar Villegas is full of optimism about Bolivia's chances of returning to the FIFA World Cup™. “We want to make people happy,” the veteran coach said.
Fans in Bolivia went wild in September, celebrating their historic victory over Brazil. The atmosphere at the Estadio El Alto was electric as the players collapsed on the pitch in tears and the supporters embraced one another after booking their place in the Play-Off Tournament. That same energy continues to propel the team as they make their bid for a World Cup finals that have eluded them for an agonising 32 years. With a date in Monterrey potentially ending that drought, the memories live on for those who saw them last compete on the global stage at USA 1994.
Villegas, whose career spans over 20 years in youth development within both club settings and the national team, consistently demonstrates a commitment to nurturing young talent rather than seeking immediate results. He has built a team of experienced players and emerging talents, some gaining recognition outside of Bolivia and arriving unburdened by past defeats.
Their focus is on playing competitively while building a team that can continue to perform for years to come. This is a long-term commitment, spanning at least a decade, to the training and development of players across all age groups.
Villegas stepped into the role on matchday seven of the notoriously intense South American qualifying campaign, with La Verde at the bottom of the table and just one win to their name. Despite the odds, he managed to inspire a turnaround by securing victories against Venezuela, Chile, and Colombia, transforming La Paz into a fortress where the team remained unbeaten on home soil. The rest of the campaign revealed how tough the competition in the region was, but it also gave him the chance to rotate his squad. During their match against Brazil, the team's final opportunity to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ was secured by a penalty successfully converted by Miguelito Terceros. At 21 years old, Terceros became the second-highest scorer in the South American qualifiers.
The team selected for the Play-Off Tournament in Monterrey — first a clash with Suriname in the semi-finals and a potential showdown with Iraq in the final, reflects the ongoing renewal of the squad. With an average age slightly above 24, this group surprised everyone during the qualifiers. The shortlist includes eight players aged between 17 and 22, all of whom have earned their first call-ups this season.
Starting with the goalkeeper Geronimo Govea, now at Montevideo Wanderers, the defence also has a fresh line-up featuring Lucas Macazaga (CD Leganés B), Marcelo Torrez (Santos U-20), Efrain Morales (CF Montreal) and Diego Arroyo (Shakhtar Donetsk). Further up the pitch, the midfield is made up of Ervin Vaca (Bolívar) and Jesus Maraude (Always Ready), whilst the attack features Moises Paniagua (Wydad AC).
Standout names that have emerged from this development process include Gabriel Villamil (LDU de Quito) and Miguel Terceros (Santos). These young talents have already established themselves in the first team and can be counted on to deliver in attack. They are joined by long-standing goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, a La Verde stalwart for over 15 years, as the team looks to bridge the gap between the past and the future.
Bolivian fans' expectations have put pressure on the squad, and the coach admits that overcoming anxiety is a challenge. However, aside from making changes on the pitch, Villegas' efforts have also focused on countering defeatist attitudes and helping the players get back to enjoying the game. “The Bolivian national team should be enjoyed, not a source of suffering.” This concept has gradually gained acceptance, which is why he insists on appealing to people’s sense of happiness.
Bolivia face Suriname this Thursday in Monterrey, in what Villamil described on his arrival in the Mexican city as “the most important match in our lives.” They are focusing on the bigger picture and aim to lay the foundations starting with the tournament in North America.