The South American World Cup qualifiers are the most intense, unpredictable home-and-away marathon in international soccer — and with the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, these qualifiers matter to American fans more than ever.
Whether you follow Argentina and Brazil for the stars or you want to know which South American teams will be heading to stadiums in the U.S. next summer, here’s a readable, no-fluff guide.
CONMEBOL’s 10 national teams compete in a double round-robin format, playing each other both home and away for a total of 18 matchdays. In the 2026 cycle, the top six teams will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the seventh team will advance to the inter-confederation playoff.
In the South American World Cup qualifiers, the grueling nature of the matches means every game counts. Factors like travel, altitude, and hostile environments can quickly shake up the standings.
2026 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL Qualification – South American World Cup qualifier
As of late August 2025, several teams have already clinched places in the South American World Cup qualifiers, while others are locked in a tense fight for the remaining slots.
Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador are among the countries already through, and the last matchdays (Sept 5 & 10, 2025) will decide the remaining direct spots and the playoff place.
Why US viewers should care
- Home advantage in 2026. The 2026 World Cup will be staged in the US, Canada, and Mexico, so American fans will see more South American teams in local stadiums than ever. That’s reason #1 to tune in.
- Global stars = must-watch TV. These qualifiers are where superstars and rising talents lock in their place for the World Cup teams like Argentina still revolve around Messi era storylines, and even in rotation, he headlines squads in crucial windows.
- Rivalries and style. From Brazil vs Argentina to grudge matches at high altitude, CONMEBOL qualifying offers drama that plays well on U.S. broadcasts and streaming platforms.
Current CONMEBOL’s FIFA World Cup Standing (August 2025)
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 16 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 9 | 19 | 35 | D W W W W |
| 2 | Ecuador | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 25 | D D D W W |
| 3 | Brazil | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 16 | 5 | 25 | W D L W D |
| 4 | Uruguay | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 24 | W L D L D |
| 5 | Paraguay | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 24 | L W D W D |
| 6 | Colombia | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 22 | D D D L L |
| 7 | Venezuela | 16 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 19 | -4 | 18 | L W W L L |
| 8 | Bolivia | 16 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 32 | -16 | 17 | W L D L D |
| 9 | Peru | 16 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 17 | -11 | 12 | D D L W L |
| 10 | Chile | 16 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 24 | -15 | 10 | L L D L W |
Key matchdays & moments
- Sept 5 & Sept 10, 2025: The final two matchdays that will decide the last direct qualifying places and the playoff slot for CONMEBOL. Expect decisive, high-stakes fixtures across the continent.
South American World Cup Qualifiers Schedule for Matchdays 9 and 10
Friday 5 September
| Match | Time |
|---|---|
| Colombia vs Bolivia | 05:00 |
| Paraguay vs Ecuador | 05:00 |
| Argentina vs Venezuela | 05:00 |
| Uruguay vs Peru | 05:00 |
| Brazil vs Chile | 06:00 |
Wednesday 10 September
| Match | Time |
|---|---|
| Ecuador vs Argentina | 04:30 |
| Chile vs Uruguay | 05:00 |
| Venezuela vs Colombia | 05:00 |
| Peru vs Paraguay | 05:00 |
| Bolivia vs Brazil | 05:00 |
Players and storylines to watch in South American World Cup qualifiers 2026
- Established superstars: Even when rotated into the lineup for minutes management, elite players still tilt these games
- Breakout talent: Many qualifiers are where future MLS signings and European transfers announce themselves to the world — great scouting fodder for U.S. audiences.
- The comeback teams: Teams hovering around 5th–8th place make for the best drama (last-minute qualification, playoff tension).
Key Player to Watch
- Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- Lautaro Martínez (Argentina)
- Enner Valencia (Ecuador)
- Moisés Caicedo (Ecuador)
- Neymar Jr. (Brazil)
- Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
- Federico Valverde (Uruguay)
- Darwin Núñez (Uruguay)
- Miguel Almirón (Paraguay)
- Julio Enciso (Paraguay)
- Luis Díaz (Colombia)
- James Rodríguez (Colombia)
- Salomón Rondón (Venezuela)
- Josef Martínez (Venezuela)
- Marcelo Moreno Martins (Bolivia)
- Pedro Castillo (Bolivia)
- Gianluca Lapadula (Peru)
- André Carrillo (Peru)
- Alexis Sánchez (Chile)
Where to watch in the USA
Broadcast rights change, so check your local listings and official league/broadcaster pages, but big windows and marquee CONMEBOL fixtures are commonly carried by major U.S. sports networks and their streaming services.
If you want a heads-up before each matchday, follow FIFA World Cup News, Goal, and major sports outlets for kickoff times and streaming details.