In the early hours of Wednesday, Bolivia's World Cup dream came to an end. La Verde lost 2-1 to Iraq in the playoff and will have to wait for another opportunity to compete in a World Cup. As a result, the Andean press reacted with frustration, but also expressed hope for the future with the current generation of players looking towards 2030.
"Bolivia could not overcome Iraq and frustrates its World Cup dream," headlined La Razón. They added that "18-year-old Moisés Paniagua scored Bolivia's goal, and with this elimination, the country has completed 32 years without attending the World Cup. " "La Verde will seek to return in 2030, adhering to the selection plan of the Bolivian Football Federation coordinated by coach Oscar Villegas," they concluded.
El Día noted that "La Verde fought, created chances, and showed character at key moments. But defensive errors ultimately buried the World Cup dream. " They also stated that it was "a defeat that breaks the hearts of Bolivians.
La Verde could not overcome Iraq; they lost 2-1 and stood at the gates of the 2026 World Cup, extending a story that has lasted over 32 years. " "They tried from all angles, but La Verde could not break through the Iraqi defense, and after nine minutes of added time, the final whistle left Bolivians with broken hearts," they concluded. Diez reported that "the hopes of an entire country came to an end in Monterrey.
Bolivia fell 2-1 to Iraq and was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, thus closing a process that had raised great expect…
"The defeat not only meant elimination but also the end of a cycle that had renewed the hope of returning to a World Cup after more than three decades. Now, Bolivian football enters a phase of evaluation, with an eye on the future and the decisions that will shape the next process," they stated. Finally, Oxígeno suggested that "if the victory against Suriname was largely due to the changes made by coach Oscar Villegas, this time it was quite the opposite.
" "Villegas decided to take out the team's playmaker, Ramiro Vaca, and bring in Fernando Nava. This caused Miguel Terceros to centralize his play, and from there he became insignificant," they elaborated. "Bolivia lost its main figure and fell into desperation.
Only at the 90-minute mark did the national coach dare to place a second striker, but it was too late. Iraq was already defending with all 11 players, and Bolivia had lost the little composure it had left," they emphasized. "Once again, Bolivia deserved more, much more, but lacked the necessary fortune.
They were one step away from returning to a World Cup after 32 years and will now have to aim for 2030. Thank you, boys! " they concluded.