The battle for places in the 2026 World Cup has delivered drama, heartbreaking moments, and historic milestones from across all of South America. Six places are available, with an additional inter-confederation playoff spot just on offer. With the conclusion of the South American qualifiers, let's look at the nations who have made the cut, as well as the thrilling clashes that have made this stage of the tournament so memorable.

Kicking off in September 2023 and spanning 90 matches all across the continent, 10 CONMEBOL teams took part in the South American World Cup Qualifiers. Early heavyweights like Argentina secured their spot early on. They also became the first nation to do so following a draw between Uruguay and Bolivia. The other five who automatically progressed are Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. Not all hope is lost for other teams, however, as 7th place Bolivia still has an opportunity to qualify through the Inter-Confederation play-offs.

The late stage of the qualifiers was by far the most tense, with every kick of the ball potentially deciding a nation’s fate. Here are some of the highlight moments from these rounds.

Uruguay vs Peru 3-0 (September 4th 2025): Uruguay marked their 5th straight World Cup qualification with goals from Aguirre, De Arrascaeta, and Frederico Vinas sealing their 3-0 victory.

The theme of 3-0 victories continues with Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil all ending their games with three goals like Bolivia which is made further ironic by the fact that all four games took place on the same day too.

Paraguay vs Ecuador 0-0 (September 4th 2025): Paraguay’s much needed draw against Ecuador permits La Albirroja to make their long-awaited return to the World Cup stage after missing out on the three previous editions.

Ecuador vs Argentina 1-0 (September 9th): Enner Valencia marked a significant achievement not only in his career but also on an international level, netting a crucial goal on his 100th international appearance and securing Ecuador’s second-place finish.

Venezuela vs Colombia 3-6 (September 9th): This intense matchup was packed with thrilling high-scoring action with key players such as Luis Suárez, Yerry Mina and Jhon Córdoba denying Venezuela the prospect of playing in the play-offs.  

Looking ahead at those who have qualified, several nations stand out as strong contenders to win the 2026 World Cup. Argentina remain the likely favourites. Made up of world-class talent and currently ranked as the strongest national team in the world, will anyone be able to dethrone the defending champions? Another potential competitor is Brazil, who whilst having a slightly less than desired journey in the qualifiers will be looking to make up for it in the later stages. Will Ancelotti succeed in guiding them to greatness? Colombia will be eager to continue their momentum and make a strong push in the tournament with a 6-3 victory in their last game, showcasing the squad's talent and desire to push for the highly coveted World Cup trophy. Whilst these are just some potential competitors, it's important to remember that due to the unpredictable nature of football, anything is possible. 

Don't miss these South American nations' journeys in the 2026 World Cup, as they represent the best football talent and flair the continent has to offer. Once tickets are released, purchase your World Cup seats with TicketKosta through our secure online booking system and be a part of football history in the making without the hassle of lottery draws and dynamic pricing.