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CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying: Three More Teams Punch Their Tickets

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JULY 10: James Rodriguez of Colombia gestures during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia at Bank of America Stadium on July 10, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, joining Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador as the six South American representatives for next summer’s tournament.

One more team could qualify from the CONMEBOL confederation. Venezuela leads Bolivia by a single point entering the last round of games on Tuesday. One of those teams will advance to the intercontinental playoff to be played in March 2026.

Going into the September international break, three automatic spots were up for grabs with two games remaining. Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador entered as the only teams qualified, having punched their tickets earlier this year.

Uruguay comfortably dispatched Peru 3-0 at home, qualifying for its fifth straight World Cup. With the result, Peru was officially eliminated from qualification.

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Colombia entered the window without a win in six games, but only needed a victory against Bolivia to return to the competition after missing out in 2022. James Rodríguez got on the scoresheet in the first half, while Jhon Córdoba and Juan Quintero added to the scoreline after halftime. The result secured a spot next summer for the Copa América 2024 finalists.

Paraguay capped its impressive qualifying campaign with official qualification after a goalless draw with Ecuador. After winning once from its first seven games, Gustavo Alfaro‘s side went nine games without defeat, which included home wins against Brazil, Uruguay and reigning World Cup champions Argentina to book its ninth all-time appearance at the tournament.

Venezuela looks to keep its dream of qualifying for its first World Cup alive with one game remaining. La Vinotinto holds a one-point advantage above Bolivia in the intercontinental playoff position. The two sides will play simultaneously on Tuesday, with Bolivia hosting Brazil and Venezuela hosting Colombia in Maturín.

Bolivia’s home-field advantage could play a factor in the final game. Four of its five wins have come at home, where the extreme altitude plays a factor for opposing teams. Tuesday’s match at the Estadio Municipal El Alto is 13,412 feet above sea level, which could give a competitive advantage to the hosts in the thin air of the Andes.