Bolívar and Grêmio clash in Copa Sudamericana playoff at La Paz
The first leg of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana playoff is scheduled for 23 July at the Hernando Siles Stadium in La Paz, Bolivia. Bolívar host Grêmio in a match played at roughly 3 600 metres altitude, seeking to rebound from a disappointing Libertadores campaign. Grêmio arrive after a poor domestic run and are missing head coach Luís Castro for health reasons; interim coach Vitor Severino will lead the side. The Brazilian club also lacks forward Carlos Vinícius, who is suspended. Bolívar field a full‑strength squad under coach Alejandro Restrepo. Security will be tight, with more than 550 police officers deployed around the stadium. The match will be broadcast live on Paramount+ and, if Grêmio wins, the second leg will be played at the Arena do Grêmio. Historical notes note Grêmio’s 1983 Libertadores victory in La Paz and recent Bolívar wins in the two of three recent meetings between the clubs.