Bolivia vs Colombia: High-Stakes World Cup Qualifier Amidst Spy Allegations

The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Bolivia and Colombia is set to take place on Thursday, October 10, at the Estadio Municipal de El Alto in Bolivia. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams bringing their unique strengths and challenges to the table.

1. Colombia's Unbeaten Run

Colombia, known as Los Cafeteros, has been on an impressive unbeaten streak in the qualifiers. They have shown remarkable resilience and skill, winning against Brazil last November with a brace from Luis Diaz and handing a defeat to the reigning world champions Argentina in their last match.

Colombia's squad is full of top talent, including Liverpool's Luis Diaz, who has been in excellent form in the Premier League. James Rodrguez, the Colombian midfielder who won the Player of the Tournament in the 2024 Copa America, is also expected to play a crucial role in the match.

2. Bolivia's Home Advantage

Bolivia, on the other hand, has a reputation for being a difficult team to beat at home. The Estadio Municipal de El Alto, where the match will be played, is one of the highest professional stadiums in the world, located at an altitude of 3,637 meters. This unique environment can significantly affect the performance of visiting teams.

Bolivia has shown impressive resilience in recent matches, securing wins against Venezuela and Chile. Their victory over Chile marked their first away triumph in South American qualifiers since 1993 and their first competitive road win in this century.

3. Spy Allegations and Team Dynamics

The match has been marred by allegations of spying. Colombia's head coach Nestor Lorenzo accused Bolivia of spying on his team ahead of the match, claiming that an unidentified individual was photographed watching their training session. The Colombian Football Federation will be filing a formal complaint with photographic evidence.

Bolivian national team head coach Oscar Villegas responded by suggesting that the Bolivian press might be helping Colombia prepare for the match by sharing information about Bolivia's training sessions.

4. How to Watch the Match

Fans in Colombia can watch the match for free on Caracol Play, while those in Venezuela can watch it on Venevision. For viewers in the U.S., the match will be available on Fanatiz with the PPV Qualifiers bundle. Fans in the U.K. and other countries can access the live stream via Bet365.

If you're abroad and unable to access your usual streaming service, using a VPN like NordVPN can help you watch the match as if you were back home.

The match is set to kick off at 4:00 pm ET/1:00 pm PT on Thursday, October 10, at the Estadio Municipal de El Alto in Bolivia.