Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Bolivia will be aiming to make amends for back-to-back defeats to Chile and Ecuador when they take on Venezuela at Estadio Hernando Siles. La Verde are eyeing their first win of the process, and it has to be noted that spectators return to the stands for Thursday’s qualifier. Since Bolivia’s opponents find it hard to play at such a high altitude, home win should be considered.
Venezuela were beaten by both Colombia (0-3) and Brazil (0-1) in the previous two away games, which is yet another reason why we are tempted to put our money on La Verde. It has to be noted that all Salomon Rondon, Yangel Herrera, and Yordan Osorio are out of contention for the visiting team. In their last meeting on the international stage Venezuela crushed Bolivia 4-1, meaning that the hosts are hungry for revenge.
Highlighted Player (Luis Haquin):
Born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), Luis Haquin is a 190-cm-tall defender who plays for Mexican side Puebla. Haquin started his senior career at Oriente Petrolero and after scoring three goals in 63 appearances in the Bolivian top flight, he moved to Puebla in 2018.
The Bolivia international made his debut for the Mexican team on February 16, 2019 in a 1-1 draw with Pachuca in Liga MX. Speaking of his international debut, Luis Haquin played his first ever match for the Bolivia national team on June 7, 2017 in a friendly against Nicaragua.
La Verde won the match 3-2, with Haquin coming as a substitute for Joan Candia in the dying minutes of the game. It has to be noted that the Puebla man has 4 caps for Bolivia U20 team. His main position is centre-back, but he is used as a defensive midfielder as well. His preferred foot is right.
Highlighted Team (Venezuela):
The Venezuela national team is the member of South American CONMEBOL confederation competing at the international stage since 1938, at the same time fighting for glory and popularity in the country where baseball diverts all of the attention from the sport. With increased popularity of the FIFA World Cup the country found enough motivation and incentive to increase player development and fan support in order to strengthen the cult of the national football team.
However, South American minnows Venezuela have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and as of 2014 they remain the only CONMEBOL member not to achieve this feat. La Vinotinto have however appeared in 15 Copa America tournament with their first entry coming in 1967. Their best result was the fourth-place finish in 2011 and under the new leadership of Rafael Dudamet, Venezuela are looking for an upset at Copa America Centenario.
The most prominent player of the Venezuela national team is New York Cosmos midfielder Juan Arango who is the team’s top scorer and the player with most caps.