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CONMEBOL Qualifiers Update: Who’s Heading to the World Cup
The 16th matchday of the South American (CONMEBOL) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded with major developments: Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador are officially qualified for the tournament in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada, while others are still fighting for a spot.
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Who Qualified?
Argentina: Already qualified before this round, they drew 1-1 with Colombia in Buenos Aires. The match was a replay of their intense Copa América final rivalry, with Luis Díaz scoring a beauty for Colombia before Thiago Almada equalized. Even though Enzo Fernández received a red card, the Albiceleste held on and are leading with 35 points.
Brazil: They secured their World Cup spot with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay at the Neo Química Arena in São Paulo. This game marked Carlo Ancelotti’s first home match as Brazil’s coach. A first-half goal by Vinícius Júnior sealed the win, bringing Brazil to 25 points while leaving Paraguay still hoping for a playoff chance.
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Ecuador: By earning a goalless draw against Peru in Lima, they reached 25 points, punching their ticket to the World Cup.
Who’s still in the race?
Uruguay: Marcelo Bielsa’s team bounced back from a previous loss with a 2-0 win against Venezuela in Montevideo. Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored to earn at least a spot in the intercontinental playoff, bringing them to 24 points.
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Paraguay: Despite their loss to Brazil, they’re still in the game with 24 points. Their hopes for a spot in the World Cup hinge on the September matches and the outcomes of their rivals’ games. Gustavo Alfaro’s squad needs a win along with favorable results to secure either a direct spot or a chance in the intercontinental playoff.
Colombia: Sixth place in the standings with 22 points, they’re just one victory away from securing their ticket to the World Cup. However, they’ve been winless in their last six matches, causing some concern as they gear up for their final two games, especially the crucial home match against Bolivia.
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Venezuela: With 18 points and faint hopes, La Vinotinto needs to win their final matches and rely on some lucky breaks from other games to snag the playoff spot. Despite a setback against Uruguay, Venezuela is still in the race for the intercontinental playoff. They are six points behind with two games left, facing a steep challenge, but it’s still mathematically on the table. A successful qualification would mean a historic first appearance at the World Cup.
Bolivia: Bolivia pulled off a 2-0 victory over Chile at over 13,000 feet of elevation in El Alto, thanks to goals from Miguel Terceros and Enzo Monteiro. While still in the hunt for the playoff with 17 points, they’ll need to win both remaining games and count on results elsewhere falling in their favor.
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Eliminated
Chile: After a disappointing run, they’re missing out on the World Cup for the third consecutive time. Their last participation was in Brazil 2014.
Peru: Following a 0-0 tie with Ecuador, Peru is out of the direct contention and needs a miracle to even consider the playoff.
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Looking Ahead
The qualifiers pick back up in September 2025, with just two matchdays remaining. Three direct spots and one playoff spot are still open. As things stand, every game is crucial for Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Bolivia, while Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador can now start preparing for the big event.
Current Standings (after Matchday 16)
- Argentina – Qualified
- Brazil – Qualified
- Ecuador – Qualified
- Uruguay – 24 pts
- Paraguay – 24 pts
- Colombia – 22 pts
- Venezuela – 18 pts
- Bolivia – 17 pts
- Peru – 12 pts
- Chile – 10 pts
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The journey to 2026 continues in just a few months, and South America’s soccer drama is far from over.
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