Bolivia Faces Jordan in Key Friendly Match Ahead of World Cup Playoffs

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia — The Bolivian national football team will face Jordan in an international friendly match on Friday, October 10, at 12:00 PM HB in Istanbul’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium. This encounter marks a crucial part of Bolivia’s preparation for the upcoming World Cup playoffs.

Head coach Óscar Villegas plans to retain the core squad from the recent qualifying matches but will have to adjust due to player injuries. Defender Diego Arroyo is expected to start in place of Efraín Morales, who is sidelined with a muscle issue.

Morales had been a reliable presence in defense alongside captain Luis Haquin, making Arroyo’s inclusion significant for the team’s backline. On the flanks, Diego Medina and Roberto Carlos Fernández will continue to fill their respective positions without changes.

In midfield, Villegas aims to establish balance and clean ball movement from the back. The trio of Héctor Cuéllar or Ervin Vaca, alongside Gabriel Villamil and Brazilian-turned-Bolivian Robson Matheus, will guide the team’s play.

Offensively, Miguel Terceros, a key talent, will lead the front line, supported by Lucas Chávez, who takes the place of Moisés Paniagua, also out due to injury. Enzo Monteiro is likely to be the main striker for Bolivia, having gained confidence in training.

This friendly serves as the first of two matches for Bolivia, with a second scheduled against Russia on Tuesday, October 14. The matches promise to help Villegas refine his strategies ahead of the World Cup playoffs in 2026.

Jordan arrives with the momentum of having secured a spot in the World Cup, while Bolivia seeks to solidify its position for the prestigious tournament. Jordan’s coach, Jamal Sellami, may feature international stars such as Musa Al-Taamari and Yazan Al-Naimat in the lineup.

Fans can attend the match for free, as announced by the Jordan Football Association, encouraging local supporters to experience this unique encounter.