# Bolivia national football team

The Bolivia national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Bolivia), nicknamed La Verde, has represented Bolivia in men's international football since 1926. Organized by the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), it is one of the ten members of FIFA's South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).
After playing in the 1930 and 1950 World Cups, they have qualified just once, in 1994, where they were eliminated in the group stage. Bolivia have never advanced past the first round of any World Cup, and have only scored one goal, in 1994. Despite their World Cup performances, Bolivia won the Copa América at home in 1963, and finished runners-up in 1997, which they also hosted. At the 2015 Copa América in Chile, they advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1997, after defeating Ecuador 3–2. This also ended a winless streak in the Copa América, with their last win being on 28 June 1997, when they defeated Mexico 1–0 in the semi-finals.

## History

Bolivia debuted in international football in 1926, one year after the Bolivian Football Federation was founded, and joined FIFA that same year. As participants at the 1926 South American Championship in Chile, Bolivia played their first match against the hosts on 12 October 1926, and even ended up scoring first against them, but wound up being defeated by the Chileans 7–1. Bolivia also lost their following three matches: 0–5 against Argentina, 1–6 against Paraguay and 0–6 against Uruguay.
In 1930, Bolivia was one of the teams invited to the inaugural edition of the World Cup, held in Uruguay. Drawn in Group 2 of the 1930 World Cup, Bolivia lost both its games 4–0, first to Yugoslavia at the Estadio Parque Central, and then to Brazil in the Estadio Centenario. The match versus the Yugoslavs would be the last match against non-South American opposition for Bolivia until 1972 – when they again met Yugoslavia. They returned for the 1950 World Cup, where Argentina's withdrawal from the qualifiers gave Bolivia an automatic berth. With three teams declining to play in Brazil, Bolivia was put in a group of two along with Uruguay. The Bolivians' only game was an 8–0 defeat to Uruguay at the Estádio Independência in Belo Horizonte.
Bolivia's greatest football achievement was the 1963 South American Championship title, which they hosted and won after placing first out of 7 countries, including being undefeated, with five wins and one draw. The only draw for Bolivia in the tournament was a 4–4 draw against Ecuador in the opening match. They also had the advantage of being better accustomed to higher altitudes. In the following edition, the 1967 South American Championship, held in Uruguay, Bolivia finished last out of six teams, with one draw and four losses, which was far below what the public expected, as Bolivia had been the defending champion.
Afterwards, the country only started to resurge at an international level with the creation of the Academia Tahuichi Aguilera in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in 1978, a football school that developed players such as Marco Etcheverry, Erwin Sánchez and Luis Cristaldo.
Under Spanish coach Xabier Azkargorta and featuring nine players from Tahuichi, Bolivia surprisingly became the first team to beat Brazil in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers while playing them in La Paz, with a 2–0 win, and qualified for the 1994 World Cup by finishing second in Group B behind the Brazilians themselves, which included record 7–0 and 7–1 wins over Venezuela during their qualification campaign.
Bolivia was drawn into the tournament's Group C, and played defending champions Germany in the tournament's opening match at Soldier Field. Bolivia outplayed Germany in the first half. In the second half, Lothar Matthäus took a 40-yard run and struck Marco "El Diablo" Etcheverry with a high elbow to his jaw. Etcheverry retaliated by fouling Matthäus and was sent off. Eventually, Bolivia lost on a controversial offside goal by Jürgen Klinsmann. Following a goalless draw with South Korea at Foxboro Stadium, where Bolivia was forced to play with ten men again after Cristaldo's red card, Bolivia returned to Chicago and lost 3–1 to Spain, with Sánchez scoring the first ever Bolivian goal in a World Cup.
Following the World Cup, Bolivia participated in the 1995 Copa América held in Uruguay, with Antonio Lopez Habas as manager, where they made the quarter-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 1963, with one win, one draw, and one loss. In the quarter-finals, the nation lost to hosts Uruguay 2–1. Despite the decent performance the team displayed during the tournament, Lopez Habas left his post shortly before the 1997 Copa America, being replaced by Dušan Drašković. The 1997 edition was the second time Bolivia held the tournament. The team reached the final, as had happened last time Bolivia was the host, but this time they finished runner-up to reigning world champion Brazil after losing 3–1 in the final.
With their runner-up finish at the previous Copa America, Bolivia made their first and only FIFA Confederations Cup appearance in the 1999 edition, this time under new Argentine manager Héctor Veira. Bolivia was placed in group A along with hosts Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Their campaign started with a 2–2 draw against Egypt. Their next match was a 0–0 draw against Saudi Arabia. For their last match in the group, they had to play hosts Mexico, in which Bolivia lost 0–1 with a goal from Francisco Palencia. Bolivia finished third in the group with two draws and a loss, being eliminated from the tournament in the first stage.
In the 2015 Copa América in Chile, under Bolivian manager Mauricio Soria, Bolivia were placed in Group A, with Chile, Mexico, and Ecuador. In their match against Mexico, Bolivia drew 0–0. However, against Ecuador, Bolivia won 3–2, with goals from Raldes, Smedberg-Dalence, and Moreno. From this victory against Ecuador, Bolivia made it to the next round, the quarter-finals, for the first time since the 1997 tournament, which they hosted. Bolivia were defeated by Peru 1–3 in the quarter-finals of the tournament, and Bolivia's only goal of the game was a penalty in the last minutes of the match scored by Marcelo Moreno. In the next three Copa América editions, Bolivia performed poorly, losing all games in these tournaments.
In 2021, Bolivian Football Federation's new President, Fernando Costa Sarmiento, lamented the deteriorating condition of football in Bolivia and vowed to rebuild the country's football system. He accused the previous Presidents of mismanaging football as he aimed to reconstruct Bolivian football into a more professional manner.
On 28 March 2023, Bolivia registered its first-ever away win against a World Cup team in the 21st century, a 2–1 over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah in a friendly.

## Stadium

Bolivia plays their home matches at Estadio Hernando Siles, which has an altitude of 3,637 metres (11,932 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest football stadiums in the world. Many visiting teams have protested that the altitude gives Bolivia an unfair advantage against opponents. On 27 May 2007, FIFA declared that no World Cup Qualifying matches could be played in stadiums above 8,200 feet (2,500 m) above sea level. However, FIFA raised the altitude limit to 3,000 meters a month later after negative feedback against the ban, and included a special exception for La Paz, thus allowing the stadium to continue holding World Cup qualifying matches. A year after the original ban, in May 2008, FIFA removed the altitude limit entirely. In 2024 the Bolivian Football Federation decided that from then on the home games would be played in the Estadio Municipal de El Alto, that has an altitude of 4,150 metres (13,620 ft) above sea level. The official reasoning by the coach is that it was freshly renovated and that they would play where they live.

## Team image
### Kit history

Bolivia's first uniforms were all white. In the 1930 FIFA World Cup, before the match with Yugoslavia, Bolivia painted one of the letters in "Viva Uruguay" in each of the eleven starters' jerseys to please the local crowd. In the following game with Brazil, given the adversary also wore white, Bolivia instead borrowed Uruguay's own blue uniform to play. Bolivia again painted a message to the hosts in the 1945 South American Championship, with the players' jerseys reading "Viva Chile". In 1946, Bolivia changed their jersey colors to black and white stripes, like the colors of the Cochabamba region. FBF reverted to white the following year. In 1957, FBF decided to use one of the colors in the Flag of Bolivia. Given red and yellow were used by many of the other South Americans, green became the primary color, leading to the nickname "La Verde" ("The Green").

### Kit sponsorship

| Kit supplier | Period |
| Penalty | 1977–1979 |
| Adidas | 1980–1982 |
| Penalty | 1983–1986 |
| Adidas | 1987–1988 |
| El Palacio de las Gorras | 1989-1990 |
| Adidas | 1991–1992 |
| Umbro | 1993–1999 |
| Atletica | 2000–2005 |
| Marathon | 2006–2010 |
| Walon | 2011–2014 |
| Marathon | 2015–present |

## Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

### 2025
## Coaching staff

    As of 28 October 2024
| Role | Name |
| Head coach | Óscar Villegas |
| Assistant coach | Horacio Pacheco |
| Assistant coach | Gabriel Ramírez |
| Assistant coach | Cristian Farah |
| Goalkeeper coach | Gustavo Gois de Lira |
| Fitness coach | Maximiliano Alonso |
| Fitness coach | Pablo Sciacia |

### Coaching history

    Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
* Jose de la Cerda (1926)
* Jorge Valderrama (1927–1929)
* Ulises Saucedo (1930–1937)
* Julio Borelli (1938–1945)
* Diógenes Lara (1945–1947)
* Félix Deheza (1948–1950)
* Mario Pretto (1950–1952)
* César Viccino (1953–1958)
* Vicente Arraya (1959)
* Danilo Alvim (1960–1965)
* Dan Georgiadis (1966–1967)
* Rudi Gutendorf (1974)
* Ramiro Blacut (1979–1981)
* Raúl Pino (1985)
* Ramiro Blacut (1985–1987)
* Jorge Habegger (1988–1990)
* Ramiro Blacut (1991–1992)
* Xabier Azkargorta (1993–1994)
* Antonio López Habas (1995–1997)
* Dušan Drašković (1997–1998)
* Héctor Veira (1998–2000)
* Carlos Aragonés (2000–2001)
* Jorge Habegger (2001)
* Carlos Trucco (2001–2002)
* Dalcio Giovagnoli (2003)
* Nelson Acosta (2003–2004)
* Ramiro Blacut (2004-2005)
* Ovidio Messa (2005)
* Erwin Sánchez (2006–2009)
* Eduardo Villegas (2009)
* Gustavo Quinteros (2010–2012)
* Xabier Azkargorta (2012–2014)
* Mauricio Soria (2014)
* Néstor Clausen (2014)
* Mauricio Soria (2015)
* Julio César Baldivieso (2015–2016)
* Ángel Guillermo Hoyos (2016)
* Mauricio Soria (2016–2018)
* César Farías (2018)
* Daniel Farías (2018)
* Eduardo Villegas (2019)
* César Farías (2019–2022)
* Pablo Escobar (2022)
* Gustavo Costas (2022–2023)
* Antônio Carlos Zago (2023–2024)
* Óscar Villegas (2024–present)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were called up to the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Peru and Uruguay on 20 and 25 March 2025, respectively.
Caps and goals updated as of 19 November 2024, after the game against Paraguay.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Guillermo Viscarra | (1993-02-07) 7 February 1993 (age 32) | 29 | 0 | Alianza Lima |
| 1GK | Rodrigo Banegas | (1995-11-08) 8 November 1995 (age 29) | 0 | 0 | The Strongest |
| 1GK | Braulio Uraezaña | (1995-03-26) 26 March 1995 (age 29) | 0 | 0 | Blooming |
| 2DF | José Sagredo | (1994-03-10) 10 March 1994 (age 30) | 62 | 1 | Bolívar |
| 2DF | Luis Haquín (captain) | (1997-11-15) 15 November 1997 (age 27) | 42 | 1 | Mushuc Runa |
| 2DF | Roberto Fernández | (1999-07-12) 12 July 1999 (age 25) | 41 | 1 | Akron Tolyatti |
| 2DF | Diego Medina | (2002-01-13) 13 January 2002 (age 23) | 20 | 0 | Always Ready |
| 2DF | Yomar Rocha | (2003-06-21) 21 June 2003 (age 21) | 7 | 0 | Bolívar |
| 2DF | Luis Paz | (2004-06-09) 9 June 2004 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | Bolívar |
| 2DF | Efrain Morales | (2004-03-04) 4 March 2004 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | Atlanta United |
| 2DF | Leonardo Zabala | (2002-05-23) 23 May 2002 (age 22) | 2 | 0 | Cancún |
| 2DF | Diego Arroyo | (2005-04-29) 29 April 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| 2DF | Lucas Macazaga | (2006-08-16) 16 August 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Leganés U19 |
| 2DF | Marcelo Torrez | (2006-07-08) 8 July 2006 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Santos U20 |
| 3MF | Ramiro Vaca | (1999-07-01) 1 July 1999 (age 25) | 41 | 5 | Bolívar |
| 3MF | Gabriel Villamíl | (2001-06-28) 28 June 2001 (age 23) | 25 | 0 | LDU Quito |
| 3MF | Miguel Terceros | (2004-04-25) 25 April 2004 (age 20) | 20 | 5 | Santos |
| 3MF | Boris Céspedes | (1995-06-19) 19 June 1995 (age 29) | 19 | 1 | Yverdon-Sport |
| 3MF | Héctor Cuéllar | (2000-08-16) 16 August 2000 (age 24) | 15 | 0 | Always Ready |
| 3MF | Robson Tomé | (2002-05-18) 18 May 2002 (age 22) | 7 | 0 | Bolívar |
| 3MF | Óscar López | (2006-08-13) 13 August 2006 (age 18) | 1 | 0 | Mallorca U19 |
| 4FW | Carmelo Algarañaz | (1996-01-27) 27 January 1996 (age 29) | 31 | 4 | Kalamata |
| 4FW | Víctor Ábrego | (1997-02-11) 11 February 1997 (age 28) | 15 | 2 | Nacional Potosí |
| 4FW | Lucas Chávez | (2003-04-17) 17 April 2003 (age 21) | 9 | 0 | Al-Taawoun |
| 4FW | Roler Ferrufino | (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 24) | 0 | 0 | Always Ready |
| 4FW | Moisés Paniagua | (2007-08-16) 16 August 2007 (age 17) | 0 | 0 | Always Ready |

### Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up during the last twelve months. Retired players are not included.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Alejandro Torres | (1998-03-19) 19 March 1998 (age 26) | 0 | 0 | The Strongest | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| GK | Bruno Poveda | (2003-10-22) 22 October 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | GV San José | v. Argentina, 15 October 2024 |
| GK | Carlos Lampe | (1987-03-17) 17 March 1987 (age 37) | 57 | 0 | Bolívar | v. Chile, 10 September 2024 |
| GK | Gustavo Almada | (1994-04-29) 29 April 1994 (age 30) | 0 | 0 | Blooming | 2024 Copa América |
| GK | David Akologo | (1997-02-19) 19 February 1997 (age 28) | 0 | 0 | Aurora | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 |
| DF | Marcelo Suárez | (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 (age 23) | 15 | 0 | Always Ready | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| DF | Sebastián Álvarez | (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | PSBS Biak | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| DF | René Barboza | (1993-04-02) 2 April 1993 (age 31) | 0 | 0 | San Antonio Bulo Bulo | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| DF | Widen Saucedo | (1997-03-01) 1 March 1997 (age 28) | 0 | 0 | San Antonio Bulo Bulo | v. Argentina, 15 October 2024 |
| DF | Pablo Vaca | (2002-05-31) 31 May 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Always Ready | v. Colombia, 10 October 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| DF | Adrián Jusino | (1992-07-09) 9 July 1992 (age 32) | 36 | 0 | The Strongest | 2024 Copa América |
| DF | Jesús Sagredo | (1994-03-10) 10 March 1994 (age 30) | 11 | 0 | Bolívar | 2024 Copa América |
| DF | César Romero | (2001-08-03) 3 August 2001 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | Blooming | v. Colombia, 15 June 2024 |
| DF | Jairo Quinteros | (2001-02-07) 7 February 2001 (age 24) | 23 | 0 | Bolívar | v. Ecuador, 12 June 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| DF | Erwin Saavedra | (1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 (age 29) | 40 | 4 | Bolívar | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 |
| DF | Denilson Durán | (2003-03-24) 24 March 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Blooming | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| DF | Daniel Lino | (2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | The Strongest | v. Andorra, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Adalid Terrazas | (2000-08-25) 25 August 2000 (age 24) | 5 | 0 | USM Alger | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| MF | Ervin Vaca | (2004-03-18) 18 March 2004 (age 20) | 3 | 1 | Bolívar | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| MF | Carlos Sejas | (2004-01-10) 10 January 2004 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Aurora | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| MF | Gustavo Mendoza | (2004-05-11) 11 May 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | San Antonio Bulo Bulo | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| MF | Jeyson Chura | (2002-02-03) 3 February 2002 (age 23) | 9 | 0 | The Strongest | v. Ecuador, 14 November 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Daniel Camacho | (1998-10-15) 15 October 1998 (age 26) | 1 | 0 | Universitario de Vinto | v. Ecuador, 14 November 2024 $^{WD}$ |
| MF | Víctor Cuéllar | (2000-09-23) 23 September 2000 (age 24) | 1 | 0 | The Strongest | v. Argentina, 15 October 2024 |
| MF | Gabriel Montaño | (1999-06-23) 23 June 1999 (age 25) | 0 | 0 | Suspended | v. Chile, 10 September 2024 |
| MF | Henry Vaca | (1998-01-27) 27 January 1998 (age 27) | 21 | 1 | Bolívar | v. Chile, 10 September 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Leonel Justiniano | (1992-07-02) 2 July 1992 (age 32) | 54 | 2 | Bolívar | 2024 Copa América |
| MF | Fernando Saucedo | (1990-03-15) 15 March 1990 (age 34) | 26 | 1 | Always Ready | 2024 Copa América |
| MF | Jamir Berdecio | (2002-08-12) 12 August 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Oriente Petrolero | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 |
| MF | Miguel Villarroel | (2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Guabirá | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 |
| MF | Juan Magallanes | (2003-01-02) 2 January 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Universitario de Vinto | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 |
| MF | Moisés Villarroel | (1998-09-07) 7 September 1998 (age 26) | 26 | 1 | Blooming | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Mirko Tomianovic | (2001-10-01) 1 October 2001 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Real Tomayapo | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Jaime Arrascaita | (1993-09-02) 2 September 1993 (age 31) | 17 | 1 | The Strongest | v. Andorra, 26 March 2024 |
| MF | Rafinha | (1991-12-20) 20 December 1991 (age 33) | 0 | 0 | Santa Cruz | v. Andorra, 26 March 2024 |
| FW | César Menacho | (1999-08-09) 9 August 1999 (age 25) | 6 | 0 | Ħamrun Spartans | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| FW | Enzo Monteiro | (2004-05-27) 27 May 2004 (age 20) | 5 | 1 | Auda | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| FW | Gabriel Sotomayor | (1999-07-02) 2 July 1999 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Floriana | v. Paraguay, 19 November 2024 |
| FW | José Martínez | (2002-09-18) 18 September 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Always Ready | v. Ecuador, 14 November 2024 $^{INJ}$ |
| FW | Bruno Miranda | (1998-02-10) 10 February 1998 (age 27) | 21 | 3 | Mushuc Runa | v. Argentina, 15 October 2024 |
| FW | Jhon Velásquez | (2003-04-22) 22 April 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Bolívar | v. Argentina, 15 October 2024 |
| FW | Rodrigo Ramallo | (1990-10-14) 14 October 1990 (age 34) | 41 | 7 | Aurora | 2024 Copa América |
| FW | Jaume Cuéllar | (2001-08-23) 23 August 2001 (age 23) | 9 | 0 | Arenteiro | 2024 Copa América |
| FW | Jair Reinoso | (1985-06-07) 7 June 1985 (age 39) | 4 | 0 | Aurora | v. Mexico, 31 May 2024 |
| $^{COV}$ Withdrew from the squad due to COVID-19. $^{INJ}$ Withdrew from the squad due to injury. $^{PRE}$ Preliminary squad / standby. $^{RET}$ Retired from the national team. $^{SUS}$ Withdrew from the squad due to suspension. |||||||

## Player records

    As of 21 November 2023
    Players in bold are still active with Bolivia.

### Most appearances

| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
| 1 | Marcelo Moreno | 108 | 31 | 2007–2023 |
| 2 | Ronald Raldes | 102 | 3 | 2001–2018 |
| 3 | Luis Cristaldo | 93 | 5 | 1989–2005 |
| 3 | Marco Sandy | 93 | 6 | 1993–2003 |
| 5 | José Milton Melgar | 89 | 6 | 1980–1997 |
| 6 | Juan Carlos Arce | 88 | 15 | 2004–2022 |
| 6 | Carlos Borja | 88 | 1 | 1979–1995 |
| 8 | Julio César Baldivieso | 85 | 15 | 1991–2005 |
| 8 | Juan Manuel Peña | 85 | 1 | 1991–2009 |
| 10 | Miguel Rimba | 80 | 0 | 1989–2000 |

### Most goals

| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
| 1 | Marcelo Moreno | 31 | 108 | 0.29 | 2007–2023 |
| 2 | Joaquín Botero | 20 | 48 | 0.42 | 1999–2009 |
| 3 | Victor Ugarte | 16 | 45 | 0.36 | 1947–1963 |
| 4 | Carlos Aragonés | 15 | 31 | 0.48 | 1977–1981 |
| 4 | Erwin Sánchez | 15 | 57 | 0.26 | 1989–2005 |
| 4 | Julio César Baldivieso | 15 | 85 | 0.18 | 1991–2005 |
| 4 | Juan Carlos Arce | 15 | 88 | 0.17 | 2004–2022 |
| 8 | Máximo Alcócer | 13 | 22 | 0.59 | 1953–1963 |
| 8 | Marco Etcheverry | 13 | 71 | 0.18 | 1989–2003 |
| 10 | Miguel Aguilar | 10 | 34 | 0.29 | 1977–1983 |

## Competitive record
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1930 | Group stage | 12th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Squad | Qualified as invitees | Qualified as invitees | Qualified as invitees | Qualified as invitees | Qualified as invitees | Qualified as invitees | Qualified as invitees |
| 1934 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1938 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1950 | Group stage | 13th | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | Squad | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically | Qualified automatically |
| 1954 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1958 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| 1962 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1966 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| 1970 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 1974 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 |
| 1978 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 25 |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
| 1994 | Group stage | 21st | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Squad | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 11 |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 18 | 21 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 33 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 18 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 20 | 37 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 22 | 36 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 16 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 30 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 18 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 38 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 23 | 42 |
| 2026 | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | Qualification in progress | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 27 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Group stage | 3/22 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 20 | — | 180 | 47 | 33 | 100 | 213 | 353 |
FIFA World Cup record :
| Year | Round | Score | Result |
| 1930 | Group stage | Bolivia 0–4 Yugoslavia | Loss |
| 1930 | Group stage | Bolivia 0–4 Brazil | Loss |
| 1950 | First round | Bolivia 0–8 Uruguay | Loss |
| 1994 | Group stage | Bolivia 0–1 Germany | Loss |
| 1994 | Group stage | Bolivia 0–0 South Korea | Draw |
| 1994 | Group stage | Bolivia 1–3 Spain | Loss |

### Copa América

Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place
South American Championship / Copa América record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad |
| 1916 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1917 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1919 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1920 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1921 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1922 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1923 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1924 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1925 | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member | Not a CONMEBOL member |
| 1926 | Fifth place | 5th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 24 | Squad |
| 1927 | Fourth place | 4th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 19 | Squad |
| 1929 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1935 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1937 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1939 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1941 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1942 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1945 | Sixth place | 6th | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 | Squad |
| 1946 | Sixth place | 6th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 23 | Squad |
| 1947 | Seventh place | 7th | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 21 | Squad |
| 1949 | Fourth place | 4th | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 24 | Squad |
| 1953 | Sixth place | 6th | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 15 | Squad |
| 1955 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1956 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1957 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1959 | Seventh place | 7th | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 23 | Squad |
| 1959 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1963 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 13 | Squad |
| 1967 | Sixth place | 6th | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 9 | Squad |
| 1975 | Group stage | 8th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | Squad |
| 1979 | Group stage | 6th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | Squad |
| 1983 | Group stage | 8th | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | Squad |
| 1987 | Group stage | 7th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Squad |
| 1989 | Group stage | 9th | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Squad |
| 1991 | Group stage | 9th | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Squad |
| 1993 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Squad |
| 1995 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | Squad |
| 1997 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | Squad |
| 1999 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Squad |
| 2001 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | Squad |
| 2004 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | Squad |
| 2007 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | Squad |
| 2011 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | Squad |
| 2015 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | Squad |
| 2016 | Group stage | 14th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | Squad |
| 2019 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | Squad |
| 2021 | Group stage | 10th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | Squad |
| 2024 | Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | Squad |
| Total | 1 Title | 29/48 | 122 | 20 | 26 | 76 | 109 | 308 | |

### FIFA Confederations Cup

FIFA Confederations Cup record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad |
| 1992 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1995 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1997 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1999 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Squad |
| 2001 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2003 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2005 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2013 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| Total | Group stage | 1/10 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | — |
FIFA Confederations Cup record :
| Year | Round | Score | Result |
| 1999 | Group stage | Bolivia 2–2 Egypt | Draw |
| 1999 | Group stage | Bolivia 0–0 Saudi Arabia | Draw |
| 1999 | Group stage | Bolivia 0–1 Mexico | Loss |

### Pan American Games

Pan American Games record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1951 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1955 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1959 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1963 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1967 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1971 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1975 | Round 2 | 6th | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 14 |
| 1979 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1983 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1987 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1991 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| 1995 | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate | Did not participate |
| Since 1999 | See Bolivia national under-23 football team | See Bolivia national under-23 football team | See Bolivia national under-23 football team | See Bolivia national under-23 football team | See Bolivia national under-23 football team | See Bolivia national under-23 football team | See Bolivia national under-23 football team | See Bolivia national under-23 football team |
| Total | Round 2 | 1/12 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 14 |

## Honours
### Major competitions

* South American Championship/Copa América
** Champions (1): 1963
** Runners-up (1): 1997

### Regional

* Bolivarian Games
** Gold medal (2): 1970, 1977
** Silver medal (2): 1938, 1947-48 (shared)
** Bronze medal (2): 1965, 1973 (shared)

### Friendly

* Copa Paz del Chaco (4): 1957, 1962, 1979, 1993
* Copa Mariscal Sucre: 1973 (shared)

### Summary

| Senior Competition | | | | Total |
| Copa América | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |