2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers CONMEBOL Standing

Latin America’s Journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Stage

2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers CONMEBOL Standing: The 2026 FIFA World Cup rang out around the world. Every continent competes fiercely to secure its place in this 48-team event in North America. However, the football world always looks at the South American (CONMEBOL) qualifiers with special emotion.

Football here is not just a game; it is a culture, a religion, and a reflection of the emotions of billions of people. The fight between world champions like Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay and strong teams like Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile has turned the CONMEBOL qualifiers into the most difficult and exciting competition in the world.

Current picture of CONMEBOL qualifiers: Battle of the points table

With the qualifying stage almost at the end, the picture of the points table has become quite clear. Some teams have already consolidated their positions and are well on their way to securing a World Cup ticket, while others are preparing themselves for a last-minute fight. Let’s take a look at the latest points table:

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Position	Team	Matches Played	Won	Draw	Lost	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Difference	Points
1	Argentina	16	11	2	3	28	9	+19	35
2	Ecuador	16	7	7	2	13	5	+8	25
3	Brazil	16	7	4	5	21	16	+5	25
4	Uruguay	16	6	6	4	19	12	+7	24
5	Paraguay	16	6	6	4	13	10	+3	24
6	Colombia	16	5	7	4	19	15	+4	22
7	Venezuela	16	4	6	6	15	19	-4	18
8	Bolivia	16	5	2	9	16	32	-16	17
9	Peru	16	2	6	8	6	17	-11	12
10	Chile	16	2	4	10	9	24	-15	10

As the 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams, 6 teams from the CONMEBOL region will now have a direct chance to play in the World Cup. The team in seventh place will have to play in the intercontinental play-off. This new rule has made the competition even more intense.

The dominance of the giants: The World Cup journey of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay

Argentina: The indomitable journey of the world champions

Under Lionel Scaloni, Argentina has become an unstoppable team. After winning the 2022 World Cup, their confidence has skyrocketed. Its reflection in the qualifiers is also clear. Lionel Messi leads the team and has maintained its position at the top of the points table. Built with a great combination of young and experienced players, this team has a solid defence and stars like Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in the attack. 

Messi may be playing the last World Cup qualifier of his career, but the whole world is still fascinated by the magic of his feet. His presence in every match inspires the rest of the team. Argentina has almost secured its ticket to the World Cup with its outstanding performance.

Brazil: The fight for a comeback and the arrival of Ancelotti

Brazil seemed out of rhythm at the beginning of the qualifying campaign. They disappointed their fans by dropping points in several important matches. Neymar’s absence and the lack of coordination within the team affected their performance. However, the legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti’s appointment as Seleção manager has caused a stir in the football world. Since his arrival, Brazil’s game has changed. 

Young Turks like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Bruno Guimarães are now playing with more responsibility. By overcoming the weaknesses on the defensive side and by being more coordinated in the attack, Brazil is gradually returning to its usual rhythm. It was only a matter of time before Vinicius’ goal against Paraguay and securing their place in the World Cup after overcoming the difficult hurdles of the qualifying round.

Uruguay: A new revolution under Bielsa

When a tactical mastermind like Marcelo Bielsa takes charge of a team, changes are inevitable. Uruguay is no exception. Since taking charge, Bielsa has revolutionised the way the team plays. The team, a mix of youth and experience, is now a great example of high-pressure and attacking football. 

Players like Darwin Nunez, Federico Valverde, and Manuel Ugarte are bringing out their best under Bielsa. They played well against strong opponents in the qualifiers. They maintained their position in the top four of the points table, which has put them well on their way to the World Cup.

Surprises and disappointments: A different look at this year’s qualifiers

Venezuela and Bolivia: On the path to new dreams

Venezuela has emerged as the biggest surprise of the CONMEBOL qualifiers. Venezuela has surprised everyone, historically known as one of the weaker teams in South America. The team has won several important matches, led by experienced striker Salomon Rondon and the extraordinary performance of young talents. They can defeat any strong opponent at home. They are holding on to seventh place, that is, the play-offs, quite firmly. Venezuelan football dreams of playing in the World Cup for the first time in its history, and they are fighting with all their might to make this dream a reality.

On the other hand, Bolivia’s performance is also worthy of praise. Their home ground, La Paz, located at a high altitude, has always been a nightmare for opponents. However, this time they have improved abroad as well. Their victory against Chile in particular was a historic moment. Bolivia is now much more organised than before, with a new coach and the inclusion of some young players. Although their path is difficult, they are also in the play-off race.

Chile: Farewell to a golden generation

This qualifying campaign was a disappointment for Chile’s golden generation, made up of Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, and Gary Medel. The team that won two consecutive Copa Americas was a shadow of itself this time. Their performance graph has remained downward due to the team’s overreliance on older players and the lack of new talent. 

Chile has lost points in most of the qualifying matches and is at the bottom of the points table. The door to the 2026 World Cup is almost closed for Chile, signalling the end of an era in their football history.

Stars on the battlefield: The difference makers

In one of the toughest qualifiers in the world, several star players are taking their respective teams forward with their magical feet. Let’s take a look at the list of top scorers from this year’s qualifiers:

Player	Team	Number of Goals
Luis Díaz	Colombia	7
Lionel Messi	Argentina	6
Miguel Terceros	Bolivia	6
Salomón Rondón	Venezuela	5
Enner Valencia	Ecuador	5
Darwin Núñez	Uruguay	5
Raphinha	Brazil	5

Liverpool star Luis Diaz is the driving force behind Colombia’s attack. His pace, dribbling and goal-scoring ability have earned Colombia valuable points in many matches. On the other hand, 36-year-old Lionel Messi continues to prove that age is just a number. He is not just scoring goals for Argentina but also the unifying force behind the team. Young Bolivian star Miguel Terceros and veteran Venezuelan Salomon Rondon have kept their respective countries’ dreams alive with their goals.

Last-Time equation: Who is going to the World Cup?

According to the current state of the points table, Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil have already cemented their positions in the competition. Uruguay and Paraguay are also in a good position to qualify directly.

The real battle will be for sixth and seventh place. Venezuela is currently breathing down Colombia’s neck. The struggle between these two teams to qualify for the World Cup and play-offs is expected to go down to the last match. While Colombia’s unbeaten record puts them ahead, Venezuela’s indomitable spirit can turn the game’s tide anytime.

Off-field passion: The soul of South American football

What makes the CONMEBOL qualifiers unique is the passion and excitement of its fans. Each match is a festival in itself. From the Monumental in Buenos Aires to the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, or the Estadio Nacional in Santiago, the roar of the fans in each stadium serves as an additional motivation for the players. The colours of the jerseys, the flags, and the music unite the entire stadium. Although this passion sometimes turns violent, its foundation is an unconditional love for football. These fans give South American football a different dimension, which is difficult to find anywhere else.

Some common questions (FAQs)

Question: How many teams from CONMEBOL will play in the 2026 World Cup? 

Answer: Six teams will qualify directly for the World Cup, and the team in seventh place will have the opportunity to play in the intercontinental play-offs.

Question: Who is the top scorer in the qualifiers? 

Answer: Luis Diaz of Colombia is at the top with 7 goals.

Question: Who will be Brazil’s and Argentina’s next matches? 

Answer: Brazil will face Chile and Bolivia in the final qualifiers’ matches. At the same time, Argentina will play Venezuela and Ecuador.

Question: Will Venezuela qualify for the World Cup for the first time? 

Answer: Venezuela has a historic opportunity. If they can maintain seventh place, they can fulfil their dream of playing in the main stage of the World Cup for the first time by playing in the intercontinental play-offs.

Question: Why is CONMEBOL qualifying called the toughest in the world?

Answer: Here, 10 strong teams play 18 matches against each other on a home and away basis. Each match is highly competitive. Moreover, the different weather conditions and geographical locations of the different countries (such as Bolivia’s altitude) make this qualifier even more challenging.

Conclusion: The final battle for supremacy

The 2026 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers are now in their final stages. The upcoming matches will determine which teams will prove their superiority on the world stage and which will be disappointed. The dominance of world champions Argentina, the comeback of Brazil, the new revolution of Uruguay, and the rise of teams like Venezuela—all this time, these qualifiers have given football fans unforgettable moments. 

Every goal, every point and every moment will be decisive until the final whistle. The football world eagerly awaits the final chapter of this South American football epic.