With just two matchdays remaining in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, one national team still battling for a playoff spot is facing a major crisis. A shocking development involving multiple doping cases could drastically alter the standings and knock a contender out of the race.
According to reports, four players from this squad are currently under investigation by CONMEBOL following positive doping results. Two of them tested positive after a match played on March 25, and additional cases may have occurred during previous qualifiers against Colombia, Chile, and Uruguay.
The team in question is Bolivia, and the two players already confirmed with adverse results are Ramiro Vaca and Boris Céspedes.
Both tested positive for a substance reportedly used to combat altitude sickness, an issue some players struggled with during matches at high elevation. “I asked the national team doctor for something to ease my altitude symptoms. I trusted the treatment I was given,” Céspedes explained.
As required by protocol, the players will now undergo B-sample testing. If the results are confirmed, Bolivia could be docked up to 7 points, which would be a devastating blow. The punishment could include the forfeiture of their 1–0 and 2–0 victories over Colombia and Chile, respectively, as well as the goalless draw with Uruguay.
Currently sitting on 17 points, Bolivia would drop to just 10 if the sanction is enforced. That would place them at the bottom of the table, tied with Chile, and eliminate any hopes of reaching even the intercontinental playoff. In contrast, this outcome would place Venezuela in a strong position to clinch the seventh spot, bringing them closer than ever to a historic qualification.
