Bolivia Defeats Brazil, Reaches 2026 World Cup Playoff After 32 Years

Bolivia secured a historic 1-0 victory over Brazil in El Alto during the final round of South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with Miguel Terceros scoring a decisive penalty in stoppage time of the first half. This win propelled Bolivia into the intercontinental playoff, giving them a chance to qualify for their first World Cup since 1994, while Brazil finished fifth—the worst performance in their history in Conmebol qualification. Brazil struggled with altitude and cohesion, fielding a squad with several reserve players and failing to mount an effective response despite introducing key starters in the second half. Bolivia's disciplined defensive effort and home advantage at high altitude were key factors in the upset, while Colombia's victory over Venezuela confirmed Bolivia's playoff spot. Brazil's campaign ended with eight wins, four draws, and six losses, marking their lowest points total since the current format began in 1996 and highlighting the challenges faced by coach Carlo Ancelotti's team. Bolivia now prepares for the March intercontinental playoff against teams from other confederations to try securing a World Cup berth.