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Short link: storygaffer.com/06. The narration is AI-generated.

History · World Cup qualifiers · 1957–2026

Bolivia have won 4 away World Cup qualifiers in 69 years.

22 October 202649 sEstadio Hernando Siles, La Paz

Bolivia have won 45 World Cup qualifiers at home and only 4 away. The difference is a mountain: their stadium in La Paz is about 3,600 m above sea level, high enough that FIFA once tried to ban internationals there.

The stat that matters

4 away wins since 1957. 45 at home.

Match report

  • Since 1957, Bolivia have won 4 away World Cup qualifiers, and 45 at home.
  • Their stadium in La Paz, the Estadio Hernando Siles, is about 3,600 m above sea level. Sources put it between 3,600 and 3,640 m.
  • A 2007 study in the BMJ by Patrick McSharry of the University of Oxford found that every 1,000 m of altitude is worth about half a goal to the home side.
  • In May 2007, FIFA banned internationals above 2,500 m. In June 2007 the limit was raised to 3,000 m, which still ruled out La Paz, and in May 2008 the ban was dropped.
  • In September 2025, Bolivia went higher still, to El Alto at over 4,000 m (sources give 4,090 to 4,150 m), and beat Brazil 1–0.
  • That earned them a place in the World Cup play-off in Mexico, where they lost the final 2–1 to Iraq.

The mountains, the breathing player and the oxygen gauge are illustrations, not measurements.

On screen

  1. Bolivia have won 4 away World Cup qualifiers. Ever.
  2. At home: 45.
  3. The difference is a mountain.
  4. La Paz: 3,600 m above sea level.
  5. Visiting teams struggle for breath.
  6. Every 1,000 m is worth about half a goal.
  7. 2007: FIFA bans games that high.
  8. A year later, it backs down.
  9. 2025: even higher. El Alto, 4,000 m+
  10. Bolivia 1–0 Brazil.
  11. The play-off: down the mountain.
  12. Lost the final to Iraq.