While Argentina has already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, the race in CONMEBOL qualifying remains intensely competitive. Only three points separate the team in second place from the one in sixth, highlighting the tight nature of the competition. With traditional powerhouses like Brazil and Uruguay facing challenges, the qualification picture appears more open than in previous cycles.
The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as the new head coach for the Brazil national team introduces a potential shift. Ancelotti faces the task of finding the right squad balance, a challenge evident in their initial 0-0 draw against Ecuador. However, getting the best performances from key players like Raphinha and Vinicius Junior could significantly turn things around for Brazil.
Venezuela is also striving for their first-ever World Cup appearance. Currently sitting in seventh place in the standings, they would occupy an intercontinental playoff spot. They hold a narrow one-point lead over Bolivia, whose last World Cup participation was in 1994, coincidentally also held in the United States.
Here`s a look at the schedule for upcoming qualifying matches and details on how to watch:
Schedule
Thursday, June 5
- Ecuador 0, Brazil 0
- Paraguay 2, Uruguay 0
- Chile 0, Argentina 1
Friday, June 6
- Colombia vs. Peru, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
- Venezuela vs. Bolivia, 6 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
Tuesday, June 10
- Bolivia vs. Chile, 4 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
- Uruguay vs. Venezuela, 7 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
- Argentina vs. Colombia, 8 p.m. ET (Fubo)
- Brazil vs. Paraguay, 8:45 p.m. ET (Fubo)
- Peru vs. Ecuador, 9:30 p.m. ET (Fanatiz)
Benedict Kingsley