The race for places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in South America (CONMEBOL) is proving incredibly competitive. While Argentina has already secured their spot, the teams behind them are in a tight battle, with just three points separating the team in second place from the team in sixth. This qualifying campaign feels more open than in previous years, partly because traditional powerhouses Brazil and Uruguay haven`t established their usual dominance.
Brazil is undergoing changes under new head coach Carlo Ancelotti. His tenure began with a goalless draw against Ecuador, highlighting the work needed to find the right balance, though getting the best out of stars like Raphinha and Vinicius Junior would be a significant step forward for the team.
Elsewhere in the standings, Venezuela is hoping to make history with their first-ever World Cup appearance. They are currently in seventh place, which would position them for an intercontinental playoff berth. They sit just one point ahead of Bolivia, whose last World Cup participation was back in 1994 when the tournament was also held in the United States.
Upcoming Matches / Schedule
Here is a look at the schedule for upcoming matches in this qualifying round as originally reported:
- Thursday, June 5
- Ecuador 0, Brazil 0
- Paraguay 2, Uruguay 0
- Chile 0, Argentina 1
- Friday, June 6
- Colombia vs. Peru, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
- Venezuela vs. Bolivia, 6 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
- Tuesday, June 10
- Bolivia vs. Chile, 4 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
- Uruguay vs. Venezuela, 7 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
- Argentina vs. Colombia, 8 p.m. ET (Fubo)
- Brazil vs. Paraguay, 8:45 p.m. ET (Fubo)
- Peru vs. Ecuador, 9:30 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
Dominic Ashworth