FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying Kicks Off in South America
- Argentina leads with the best defensive record, while Chile has the second worst attack.
- Bolivia, struggling in the qualifiers, faces Venezuela, who are yet to qualify for a World Cup.
- Uruguay deals with player bans and a scoring drought but is expected to win against Paraguay.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying matches have resumed in South America, marking the first international football action since the Copa America held in the United States. Argentina currently boasts the best defensive record in the qualifiers, while Chile struggles with the second worst attack. Historically, Chile has had success against Argentina in previous Copa America finals, but the current champions are expected to dominate in their upcoming match in Buenos Aires. Bolivia, who last participated in a World Cup in 1994, finds themselves at the bottom of the qualifying table, having conceded 14 goals in six matches. Their upcoming game against Venezuela, a team yet to qualify for a World Cup, presents a crucial opportunity for both sides. Venezuela has shown promise with a strong start in the qualifiers, while Bolivia hopes to leverage their home advantage in La Paz. Uruguay faces challenges as they prepare to play Paraguay, having experienced a tumultuous Copa America campaign marred by violence and player bans. With key players like Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo unavailable, Uruguay's scoring struggles may hinder their performance. Despite these setbacks, they are still expected to secure a home victory. In another match, Brazil will host Ecuador, with both teams eager to improve their standings in the qualifying table. Ecuador currently sits just above Brazil, making this match critical for both teams. Peru and Colombia will also clash, with Peru struggling in their recent performances, highlighting the competitive nature of the qualifying rounds.