International lineups, stats and previews, TV channel, live streaming and match predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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International lineups, stats and previews, TV channel, live streaming and match predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

With a week to go before Scotland have a game that looks very winnable in the group stage of the World Cup, striker Lawrence Shankland says that a win against Bolivia will put his team “in a good position” in the first game of the final against Haiti.

“It’s another step towards the first competition,” Shankland told Scotland’s official channel, having scored twice in six minutes in a 4-1 win over Curacao in Glasgow last Saturday.

“One more thing to be happy about. When we met last week, it was just the beginning of building. We know how important it is to prepare properly and make sure we are in the right place.

“We know how important the first game in the team will be for us. First of all, we have to take care of this friendly game.”

Bolivia beat Brazil 1-0 at home to finish seventh in South America and advance to two inter-confederation play-offs, beating Suriname 2-1 before losing to Iraq by the same scoreline.

Oscar Villegas, who has been in charge since 2024, is expected to use the friendly to give inexperienced players opportunities in a nation that has not won the World Cup in three games since 1994.

“We believe that those who have been called up have the opportunity to get playing time – especially the young players, and that is important for us,” said Villegas, about Diez.

Ranked 77th in the FIFA rankings, Bolivia is four places above Haiti but well below Scotland’s next group stage rivals, Morocco and Brazil.

Bolivia v Scotland team news

Tyler Fletcher has been called up to replace Billy Gilmour after suffering a knee injury during the win over Curacao.

The 19-year-old Manchester United player has been training with the team and started as a substitute at Hampden Park during the break.

Craig Gordon returned from a shoulder injury in May and the 43-year-old played the first half of the game.

Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway will miss the World Cup with an ankle problem but Southampton striker Ross Stewart could play for Scotland for the first time since 2022, due to a serious injury between his last internationals and January this year.

Right back Diego Medina is injured in Bolivia and his place could be taken by Yomar Rocha or Lucas Macazaga. Midfielder Moises Villarroel has also been targeted.

Left-back Dieguito Rodriguez and attacking midfielder Jesus Maraude have not completed their visas and Hector Cuellar is absent as the midfielder was completing a move to Bulgarian club CSKA 1948.

Bolivia v Scotland predicted matches

Bolivia starting XI: Guillermo Viscarra, Lucas Macazaga, Efrain Morales, Luis Haquin, Roberto Carlos Fernandez, Ervin Vaca, Ramiro Vaca, Robson Matheus, Miguel Terceros, Moises Paniagua, Daniel Ribera

Scotland starting XI: Liam Kelly, Nathan Patterson, Anthony Ralston, Dominic Hyam, Grant Hanley, Findlay Curtis, Tyler Fletcher, Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn, Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams