Bolivia Copa America 2024 squad: Which Verde players are going to the USA?

Positivity heading into the 2024 Copa America is in short supply for Bolivia, and a primarily domestic-based squad leaves Zago short on European experience as they face an uphill task to even record a respectable total on the board by the end of the group phase.

Goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra has made a shaky start to the season with The Strongest, conceding at over two goals per game, while keeping just a single clean sheet from six attempts.

Still, the 31-year-old shot-stopper is expected to retain his starting place between the sticks, with Cordano and Akologo unproven options in the international circuit, boasting just five caps combined between them.

In defence, Jose Sagredo and Luis Haquin are the most likely centre-back pairing. With a good mix of experience and youth – Sagredo is 30 and Haquin, 26 – they are the most solid pair the Bolivians can use. The former plays for Bolivar, one of Bolivia's leading teams, while the latter has already moved to a better league and plays for Ponte Preta in Brazilian Serie B. Other potential options include Adrian Jusino and Marcelo Suarez.

On the full-backs, Roberto Fernandez and Jairo Quinteros are a balanced pair that suits the team's defensive style very well while also providing some ability to carry the ball forward. Daniel Lino and Diego Medina will serve as the back-up options.

The midfield department will probably be composed of mostly defensive-minded players, with Bolivar's Leonel Justiniano a vital cog in the engine room and one of the first names on the team sheet.

Creative midfielder Ramiro Vaca will be charged with conjuring some spark on behalf of Bolivia. The 24-year-old will look to bring the understanding he has forged with Bolivar team-mate Justiniano into play for the national team. Gabriel Villamíl, Moisés Villarroel, Miguelito, Rafinha, and Boris Cespedes may also find themselves on the plane as midfield options.

There's little competition for the starting centre-forward role in this squad following the retirement of international cap and goal leader Marcelo Martins Moreno in November last year. Bolivar's Carmelo Algarañaz will likely lead the attack in Moreno's stead.

Rodrigo Ramallo and Jair Reinoso are both established attackers in the Bolivian top flight. Henry Vaca plies his trade for Israeli top division side Maccabi Bnei Reineh, while Miguel Terceros plays his club football at Brazilian side Santos.

Bolivia haven't found a clear starting lineup in recent games so most places in their XI are very disputed and could change from game to game. Zago has favoured compact back-four setups rather than the 5-4-1 deep block and other more defensive formations his predecessors mostly opted for.

Viscarra will be lining up in goal. Haquin and Sagredo are likely to see themselves paired at the heart of the defence, flanked by Fernandez and Quinteros.

Meanwhile, Justiniano and R. Vaca will provide added protection from the middle of the park.

Captain Marcelo Moreno is likely to start up top. H. Vaca can join the attack from the right side, with Algaranaz on the opposite flank and Terceros as the No. 10.

Bolivia predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Viscarra; Quinteros, Haquin, Sagredo, R. Fernandez; Justiniano, R. Vaca; H. Vaca, Terceros, Algaranaz; Reinoso