SEATTLE - For the vast majority of the 21st century, Bolivia has struggled more than normal when competing at Copa América. Ever since 'La Verde' reached the 1997 final, Bolivia has failed to advance to the knockout stages in eight of the nine editions since that second-place finish.
The current state of the Bolivian national team is not great either. Under manager Antônio Carlos Zago, Bolivia has managed to win just three of 11 games and sits second-to-last after six games in the 2026 World Cup Qualifying cycle.
Since the start of 2023, Bolivia's only positive result against teams competing at this year's Copa América is a 2-0 win against Peru in WCQ. In that span, 'La Verde' has a 1-9-1 W-L-D record against such teams.
Bolivia's Copa América quick facts
Group: C
Best result: champions (once); Bolivia has won Copa América (1963) and reached the final (1997) the only two times it has hosted the tournament.
Coach: Antônio Carlos Zago (appointed October 2023); 3-7-1 W-L-D record
All-time Bolivian top scorer in Copa América: Víctor Ugarte (9 goals).
Where is Bolivia playing?
Bolivia will open its Copa América 2024 schedule with a game against the hosts in Arlington, Texas. The only South American team 'La Verde' will face in the group stages will be Uruguay, at MetLife Stadium on June 27. They will close out the round with a game against Panama in Orlando on July 1.
June 23: United States vs Bolivia - AT&T Stadium, Arlington
June 27: Uruguay vs Bolivia - MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
July 1: Bolivia vs Panama - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando
Bolivia's 26-man list for Copa América
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Viscarra (The Strongest), Carlos Lampe (Bolívar), Gustavo Almada (Universitario de Vinto).
Defenders: Diego Medina (Always Ready), Héctor Cuéllar (Always Ready), Marcelo Suárez (Always Ready), Yomar Rocha (Bolívar), Jesús Sagredo (Bolívar), José Sagredo (Bolívar), Adrián Jusino (The Strongest), Luis Haquín (Ponte Preta), Roberto Carlos Fernández (FC Baltika Kaliningrad)
Midfielders: Lucas Chávez (Bolívar), Leonel Justiniano (Bolívar), Fernando Saucedo (Bolívar), Ramiro Vaca (Bolívar), Robson Matheus (Always Ready), Adalid Terrazas (Always Ready), Rodrigo Ramallo (The Strongest), Boris Céspedes (Yverdon Sport FC), Jaume Cuéllar (Barcelona B), Gabriel Villamil (Liga de Quito), Miguel Terceros (Santos FC)
Forwards: César Menacho (Blooming), Carmelo Algarañaz (Bolívar), Bruno Miranda (The Strongest)
Notable absence
Marcelo Martins Moreno
The legendary Bolivian striker will not be at Copa América 2024 after he announced his retirement from professional soccer just a few months ago. He played his last game for Brazilian team Cruzeiro in April, putting an end to a career that spanned more than two decades.
Moreno is the player with the most games and goals scored for the Bolivian national team and he represented 'La Verde' at four different Copa América editions. He was the top scorer in the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2022 with 10 goals and ranks third (22 goals in 63 matches) in the historical table of CONMEBOL qualifiers, behind Lionel Messi (31) and Luis Suárez (29).
Player to watch
Miguel Terceros
The young Bolivian is having a terrific year both at the international and club level. 'Miguelito' has been one of the top performers for Santos' U-20, scoring eight goals in all competitions including a hat trick at the Brasileiraro U-20 against Ceará.
Terceros made his debut for 'La Verde' as an 18-year-old back in 2022 and, since then, has 12 caps under his belt.
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