STORY: Hundreds of Bolivian football fans braved freezing temperatures in El Alto, camping outside Villa Ingenio Stadium on Saturday (August 2), to secure tickets for the Bolivia vs. Brazil World Cup qualifier.

The stadium, located at 4,095 meters above sea level, will host its first-ever World Cup qualifying match on September 9, marking a significant event for Bolivian football. This match is a historic occasion as Bolivia aims to boost its chances of qualifying for the World Cup, a feat last achieved in 1994.

Bolivia currently stands eighth in the group standings, just one place away from the playoff qualification spot. The seventh-placed finisher of the regional group will advance to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: EL ALTO, BOLIVIA (AUGUST 2, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. (MUTE) VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF VILLA INGENIO STADIUM IN EL ALTO CITY, THE HIGHEST STADIUM ABLE TO RECEIVE OFFICIAL FIFA MATCH

2. (NIGHT SHOT) TENTS SET UP BY PEOPLE WAITING TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE BOLIVIA VS BRAZIL WORLD CUP QUALIFIER MATCH

3. (NIGH SHOT) SHOES OUTSIDE THE TENTS

4. (NIGHT SHOT) VARIOUS OF SOCCER FAN, CRISTINA BALCAZAR INSIDE HER TENT WITH HER DAUGHTER

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCCER FAN, CRISTINA BALCAZAR, SAYING:

“Despite all the situations and sacrifices we are making to see our Bolivian team. We must support everyone, despite the five degrees below zero cold. We still have to move forward and finally buy our tickets.”

6. TENT COVERED WITH EGG CRATES

7. SOCCER FAN LEAVING HER TENT

8. SOCCER FAN PUTTING ON HER SHOES

9. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WRAPPED IN BLANKETS

10. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BUYING AND DRINKING HOT BEVERAGE

11. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF VILLA INGENIO STADIUM

12. TENTS IN FRONT OF STADIUM, WHERE PEOPLE SLEPT FOR DAYS TO BUY TICKETS FOR THE BOLIVIA VS BRAZIL MATCH

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCCER FAN, MIGUEL ALTAMIRANO, SAYING:

“We have been here since Monday, queuing, sleeping at night despite the cold and frost. The wind blew away our tents, hopefully Bolivia wins and gives us that championship in this moment of economic crisis we are living in, please.”

14. VARIOUS OF TENTS AND SOCCER FAN QUEUING IN FRONT OF STADIUM

15. SOCCER FAN, CIRILO GONZALEZ HOLDING THE BOLIVIAN FLAG

16. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SOCCER FAN, CIRILO GONZALEZ, SAYING:

“Here we are at more than 4000 meters above sea level, and Brazil is not going to beat us, Bolivians are here to win.”

17. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF VILLA INGENIO STADIUM WITH THE ILLIMANI MOUNTAIN IN THE BACKGROUND

18. SOCCER FAN BUYING TICKETS FOR THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIER MATCH

19. VARIOUS OF SOCCER FAN COUNTING HER TICKETS FOR THE SOCCER MATCH BOLIVIA VS BRAZIL

20. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ADVANCING TO BUY THEIR TICKETS

21. (MUTE) DRONE SHOT OF EL ALTO