About FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification - CONMEBOL is the South American regional qualification tournament for the 23rd edition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualifiers kicked off on September 7, 2023, and are scheduled to conclude in September 2025.

Event Progress

On September 7, 2023, the CONMEBOL qualifiers began first. Paraguay hosted Peru at home, while defending champions Argentina faced Ecuador in their capital. South America has 6 direct qualification spots and 1 play-off spot.

In November 2024, during the 12th round of the 2026 World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers held in Barranquilla, Colombia, Ecuador defeated Colombia 1-0 away.

Participating Teams

There are 10 participating teams in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Each team plays home-and-away matches against the other 9 teams. After 18 rounds, the top 6 teams in the standings will directly qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, while the 7th-placed team will participate in the intercontinental play-offs. Among them, according to the ruling issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on November 8, 2022, Ecuador will have 3 points deducted in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Each country will play home-and-away matches against the other nine countries. After 18 rounds, the top six teams will qualify for the 23rd World Cup. The seventh-placed team will enter the FIFA play-offs.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams in the final stage for the first time.