Brazil and Argentina Secure Early Qualification for 2026 FIFA World Cup in Historic South American Campaign

Jun, 12 2025

Argentina and Brazil Lead CONMEBOL in World Cup Qualification Drama

For the first time in years, the South American World Cup qualifiers have served up a bit of déjà vu—with giants Argentina and Brazil punching their cards to the 2026 World Cup before most of their neighbors. The expanded 48-team tournament in North America created more room for countries, but it's still the usual suspects leading the charge in the intense CONMEBOL qualification battle.

Argentina, still basking in their 2022 championship glory, managed to lock in their ticket well before the qualifying campaign wrapped up. The crucial moment arrived in March 2025. Bolivian hopes of causing an upset fizzled out when they couldn't topple Uruguay. That simple result—before Argentina had even faced Brazil for their hyped March 25 clash—set the stage for the reigning champions’ celebrations. They sat atop the standings with 35 points from 13 matches, keeping a massive +19 goal difference over their rivals. The automatic spot was theirs, no calculators needed.

And even though the Argentina vs Brazil match that month was always going to grab headlines, Lionel Scaloni's squad only underlined their dominance. They thrashed Brazil 4-1, distancing themselves further and showing the world that, for now, South American football’s throne isn’t up for grabs. Messi added to the usual intrigue, but there’s an air of uncertainty about his presence at the 2026 World Cup as he closes in on the twilight of his career with Inter Miami. His fans are left guessing—will he step onto the global stage one last time, or is this the end of an era?

Brazil, never far behind in these races, took a little longer to join the party. Their form in recent months was enough to see them clock 25 points with a +5 goal difference as of the latest fixtures. Ecuador matched their haul, and while there’s still a cluster of teams fighting for the prestigious World Cup berths, Brazil’s qualification was hardly in doubt. Both teams’ success brings some predictability to what’s usually a cutthroat field, but the drama’s far from over for the rest.

Intense Qualifying Race Leaves Other South American Teams on Edge

The qualifying format got a shake-up for 2026. Now, six South American teams have a golden ticket to the World Cup, with a seventh placed team heading to the intercontinental playoffs—a kinder setup than the past, when even big nations could miss out with the slightest slip. With Argentina and Brazil securing two of those six spots, there’s a frenzied battle among Ecuador, Uruguay, Colombia, and others for the rest.

This year’s campaign brought nail-biting moments, dramatic upsets, and the usual tension fans have come to expect. Uruguay briefly looked poised to challenge for an automatic spot before losing steam. Teams like Venezuela and Chile, historically on the margins, sensed opportunities in the new format, while Peru and Paraguay have quietly clung to outside hopes as matchdays dwindle.

What stands out is how little margin there is for mistakes—even in a friendlier qualification landscape. A single unexpected draw or defeat can reshuffle the pack, making every match count for teams not named Argentina or Brazil. As fans and pundits analyze each permutation, it’s clear that while the giants have secured their passage, the rest of the continent is bracing for a wildcard finish.

If you’re chasing a storyline beyond the usual powerhouses, keep your eyes on the mid-table. With national pride, World Cup dreams, and a bigger stage on offer, no one in South America is backing down.