Vaca: It's the match of our lives
Bolivia players Ramiro Vaca and Luis Haquin, along with coach Oscar Villegas talk about the Suriname showdown, fans' backing and enjoying the moment.
Bolivia face Suriname for a place in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament final
Head coach Oscar Villegas has instilled a fearless attitude into his players
Captain Luis Haquin promises Bolivia fans that they will give it their all
Monterrey is buzzing with FIFA World Cup™ excitement. In the run-up to the global finals, the city is hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Play-Off Tournament and welcoming two teams, Bolivia and Suriname, who are desperate to return to North America in three months' time.
Bolivia arrived to their pre-match training all smiles and looking loose, despite the gravity of the situation. “It’s the match of our lives,” said Ramiro Vaca to media, echoing the comments made by team-mates Gabriel Villamil and team captain Luis Haquin.
Head coach Oscar Villegas has revamped the squad throughout his tenure, which began in July 2024, and has made adjustments even in recent weeks to capitalise on the form of certain players. This was highlighted by Vaca, who left club side Bolivar a few months ago to join Wydad AC in Morocco and is now one of the key players in attack: “This will be a Bolivia side that won’t panic, that will showcase its best qualities to achieve this goal.”
That conviction is evident in the commitment with which they approach the moment. “Shedding blood for the shirt – that’s non-negotiable,” said Haquin. “From day one, as a group, I’d stake my life on my team-mates, who share that same mindset.”
The legacy of players such as Marco Etcheverry, Alvaro Pena and Carlos Trucco remains a benchmark for the last Bolivian World Cup squad at USA 1994. “Most of the squad weren’t even born in 1993, so feeling that affection from the people is a huge thrill. We have a great responsibility,” added Haquin.
With a win over Suriname and a victory in the decider against Iraq on 31 March, this squad could become the heroes of the generation that follows them. There was already a euphoria for even reaching the Play-Off Tournament, and they certainly would not mind riding that wave into the global finals.
“We keep telling ourselves that nothing and no one should make us believe we don’t deserve this moment,” said Haquin. “We’re enjoying it one hundred per cent.”
It is a sentiment shared by his head coach. Villegas achieved his first objective upon taking the job of changing his players’ mindset. The second is deflecting the pressure of the moment and relishing the experience ahead.
“It’s a dream come true after so many years,” said Villegas. “Thirty-odd years; of course it’s wonderful.”