Bolivia Will Play Iraq in Play-Off Final To Keep World Cup Hopes Alive

Written by: Jose Gonzalez

Bolivia's players celebrate during the match in Guadalupe, Mexico on March 26, 2026 (Photo credit via beIN Sports).

In the first match of inter-confederation World Cup qualifiers, Bolivia rallied for a 2-1 victory against Suriname at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, part of the Greater Monterrey region. 

Both teams were looking for a berth into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada this summer. 

Bolivia, a CONMEBOL side, is looking for their first tournament appearance since 1994, the last time the competition was held in the United States. CONCACAF representative Suriname has never qualified for the World Cup. 

The winner of the match will advance to the playoff final match against AFC opponent Iraq. 

Suriname got the match underway at 4 p.m. in Monterrey. Both teams created chances in the first 10 minutes of the match, which neither side converted into goals. 

In the 14th minute, Suriname midfielder Jean-Paul Boëtius received a booking for pulling the jersey of Club Bolívar midfielder Robson Matheus.

Neither team recorded a shot on target until the 21st minute. Suriname goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen was forced to make a save from left-back Roberto Fernández, and then again in the 30th minute from Matheus. 

Suriname nearly broke through in the 28th minute, when winger Gyrano Kerk went down the right-hand side and crossed the ball to Joel Piroë, whose shot went above the post. 

In the 33rd minute, Monteiro dribbled around Bolivian goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra, but had his shot blocked by center back Efraín Morales. 

A minute later, Piroë passed the ball to the center of the box, which landed at the foot of defender Myenty Abena, who shot it towards the middle. However, Viscarra made a save with his forehead to deny the chance. 

Neither team could convert the chances they had in the first half, and the match remained at 0-0 at the break. 

Two minutes into the second half, Shaquille Pinas crossed the ball to midfielder Melayro Bogarde. 

His shot was saved by Viscarra, but the ball lands at wingback Liam van Gelderen’s foot, who scores his first goal for the national team and gives Suriname the lead.

Bolivia continued putting on the pressure, and their efforts were rewarded in the 71st minute. 

At the 72nd minute, winger Gabriel Villamil shoots the ball and is blocked but Moises Paniagua is there to put the ball past Vaessen. 

It is all level—but not for long. 

In the 77th minute, striker Juan Godoy had the ball in the Suriname box where Abena trips him. The referee points to the spot. 

Bolivia now has the chance to give themselves the lead for the first time in the match. 

Miguel Terceros steps up to the penalty spot, shoots to the right and sends Vaessan the wrong way. Bolivia turned the match around in 6 minutes, now leading 2-1 in the 79th minute. 

Ten minutes of stoppage time was added. The Surinamese players were pressuring the Bolivia defense, which was desperately preventing another goal. 

In the last minute of the match, Surinamese substitute Denzel Jubitana shot outside the box, but deflected off Morales’ head for a corner. In the end, the corner resulted in nothing for Suriname. 

At full-time, the Bolivians celebrated their victory, and now have a chance to return to the World Cup for the first time in three decades. 

Bolivia will face Iraq at the Estadio BBVA on March 31 for a spot in Group I this summer, alongside opponents Norway, France, and Senegal.