CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Standings, Results & Who Will Qualify
Live-updated CONMEBOL World Cup 2026 qualifying standings. Track Argentina, Brazil, and all South American teams in the race to qualify for USA, Canada & Mexico.
South American World Cup qualifying is unlike anything else in football. Ten teams, 18 matches each, one long marathon of emotion spanning nearly two years. The CONMEBOL qualifiers for World Cup 2026 have delivered drama, upsets, and some of the best football on the planet.
Here's everything you need to know about the road to USA, Canada & Mexico from South America.
Current Standings
After 17 matchdays, here's how the table looks:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina 🇦🇷 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 27 | 15 | +12 | 29 | ✅ Qualified |
| 2 | Uruguay 🇺🇾 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 23 | ✅ Qualified |
| 3 | Ecuador 🇪🇨 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 17 | +1 | 22 | ✅ Qualified |
| 4 | Colombia 🇨🇴 | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 20 | -2 | 22 | ✅ Qualified |
| 5 | Brazil 🇧🇷 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 23 | 22 | +1 | 21 | ✅ Qualified |
| 6 | Paraguay 🇵🇾 | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 15 | 22 | -7 | 20 | ✅ Qualified |
| 7 | Venezuela 🇻🇪 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 25 | -9 | 16 | 🔄 Playoff race |
| 8 | Bolivia 🇧🇴 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 33 | -15 | 15 | 🔄 Playoff race |
| 9 | Peru 🇵🇪 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 25 | -13 | 13 | ❌ Eliminated |
| 10 | Chile 🇨🇱 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 28 | -14 | 11 | ❌ Eliminated |
Updated after Matchday 17. Final matchday (18) TBD.
Qualification Breakdown
How It Works
CONMEBOL qualifying uses a single round-robin format:
- All 10 teams play each other twice (home and away)
- That's 18 matches per team over nearly two years
- Top 6 qualify directly for the World Cup
- 7th place goes to the inter-confederation playoffs
Who's Through
All six automatic spots have been filled:
Argentina – The defending world champions cruised to first place. Lionel Messi continues to deliver magic even with carefully managed minutes.
Uruguay – Marcelo Bielsa's tactical masterclass has La Celeste back among the elite. That dramatic stoppage-time winner against Colombia was peak CONMEBOL chaos.
Ecuador – Consistently solid, La Tri secured their spot with efficient performances.
Colombia – James Rodríguez has enjoyed a renaissance, leading Los Cafeteros back to the World Cup.
Brazil – It wasn't pretty. A humbling defeat to Argentina was a wake-up call, and the manager change helped steady the ship. The Seleção are through, but questions remain.
Paraguay – The surprise package! La Albirroja are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
The Playoff Battle
With one match remaining, the 7th-place playoff spot is still up for grabs:
| Team | Points | Goal Difference | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela | 16 | -9 | Leads on GD |
| Bolivia | 15 | -15 | One point behind |
Venezuela holds the advantage heading into the final matchday. A win secures the playoff spot. Bolivia needs a win AND Venezuela to drop points.
The playoff team will face opponents from other confederations in March 2026 for one of two remaining World Cup spots.
Top Scorers
The golden boot race in CONMEBOL qualifying:
| Player | Team | Goals | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 | 12 |
| Luis Díaz | Colombia | 7 | 17 |
| Miguel Terceros | Bolivia | 7 | 12 |
| Darwin Núñez | Uruguay | 6 | 16 |
| Raphinha | Brazil | 5 | 14 |
Messi's efficiency is remarkable – 8 goals in just 12 appearances, with Scaloni carefully managing his minutes.
Key Results to Remember
Argentina's Dominance
Despite a surprising 2-1 loss to Paraguay on Matchday 11, Argentina bounced back immediately with a 1-0 win over Peru. They've been five points clear at the top since mid-campaign.
Brazil's Struggles
The 5-time champions have looked uncharacteristically vulnerable:
- Lost to Argentina at home (0-1) in a match that prompted soul-searching
- Drew with Venezuela and Uruguay in the final stretch
- Currently 7 points behind Argentina
Uruguay's Rollercoaster
Bielsa's side has been entertaining but inconsistent. That said, key victories against Colombia and a draw with Brazil showed their big-game mentality.
The Chile Collapse
Two-time Copa América champions Chile (2015, 2016) have suffered a historic failure. With 11 points and a -14 goal difference, the golden generation's twilight has been painful.
Remaining Fixtures (Matchday 18)
The final round of qualifying will determine the playoff spot:
| Match | Significance |
|---|---|
| Venezuela vs Peru | Venezuela needs a result |
| Bolivia vs Chile | Bolivia must win and hope |
| Other matches | Pride and seeding implications |
Team-by-Team Analysis
Argentina 🇦🇷
Status: Qualified as group winners
The reigning world champions have been imperious. With Messi, Julián Álvarez, and the ever-solid defense marshaled by Emiliano Martínez, Argentina are the team to beat in 2026.
Key player: Lionel Messi (when available) Concern: Squad rotation and fitness management
Brazil 🇧🇷
Status: Qualified (5th)
A tournament-mode Brazil is always dangerous, but the qualifying campaign raised red flags. Carlo Ancelotti's appointment should bring organization.
Key player: Vinicius Jr. Concern: Midfield creativity without injured stars
Colombia 🇨🇴
Status: Qualified (4th)
James Rodríguez is back to his best, and a young, hungry squad built around him could go far. Néstor Lorenzo has instilled belief.
Key player: James Rodríguez Concern: Converting chances in big matches
Uruguay 🇺🇾
Status: Qualified (2nd)
Bielsa-ball has arrived in South America. Uruguay are physical, tactical, and blessed with Darwin Núñez leading the line.
Key player: Darwin Núñez Concern: Defensive lapses in key moments
Ecuador 🇪🇨
Status: Qualified (3rd)
La Tri continue to build on their 2022 World Cup experience. Moisés Caicedo runs the midfield with authority.
Key player: Moisés Caicedo Concern: Away form against top teams
Paraguay 🇵🇾
Status: Qualified (6th)
The feel-good story of CONMEBOL qualifying. Paraguay are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010 South Africa.
Key player: Miguel Almirón Concern: Lack of depth compared to rivals
Venezuela 🇻🇪
Status: Fighting for 7th (playoff)
La Vinotinto have never qualified for a World Cup. This is their best chance yet. One point ahead of Bolivia with one match to play.
Key player: Salomón Rondón Concern: Must avoid defeat in the final match
Bolivia 🇧🇴
Status: Fighting for 7th (playoff)
The altitude kings need help. A win in their final home match could secure a playoff spot – if Venezuela slip up.
Key player: Miguel Terceros (7 goals!) Concern: Woeful away record
What's at Stake
For the qualified teams, the remaining matches are about:
- Seeding positions for the World Cup draw
- Building momentum
- Resting key players vs. maintaining form
For Venezuela and Bolivia, it's simple: the winner of the 7th-place battle gets a playoff chance at making history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CONMEBOL teams qualify for World Cup 2026?
Six South American teams qualify directly for the World Cup. The 7th-place team earns a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs, where they'll compete for one of two remaining global positions.
Which CONMEBOL teams have qualified for World Cup 2026?
Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Paraguay have all secured direct qualification. Venezuela and Bolivia are fighting for the 7th-place playoff position.
When do CONMEBOL qualifiers end?
The final matchday (Matchday 18) takes place in the upcoming international window. After that, the 7th-place team will compete in the inter-confederation playoffs in March 2026.
Has Venezuela ever qualified for a World Cup?
No. Venezuela is the only CONMEBOL nation never to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. They're currently in 7th place, fighting for a playoff spot that could change history.
View all qualified teams on our Teams page. Check out the group draw and fixtures on our Groups page.