Argentina may have already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup, but the competition behind them in CONMEBOL qualifying remains incredibly tight. Just three points separate second-placed Ecuador from Colombia in sixth. While South American qualifiers are always tense affairs, this cycle has seen more unpredictability than usual, with traditional powerhouses like Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay struggling to consistently perform strongly behind the qualified Argentinian side.
The situation for Brazil could be poised for change following the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as the new head coach. Ancelotti has significant work ahead to find the optimal balance for the squad. Getting the best out of key players such as Raphinha and Vinicius Junior will be critical for Brazil`s efforts to turn their qualifying campaign around.
Meanwhile, Venezuela is making a strong push for their first-ever World Cup appearance. Currently positioned in seventh place, they would qualify for an intercontinental playoff spot. With a four-point lead over Bolivia, Venezuela is now setting its sights on potentially overtaking Colombia for a direct qualification place, aiming higher than just the playoff route.
Here is a look at the results from recent qualifying matches and the schedule for upcoming fixtures:
Schedule and Recent Results
Thursday, June 5
- Ecuador 0, Brazil 0
- Paraguay 2, Uruguay 0
- Chile 0, Argentina 1
Friday, June 6
- Colombia 0, Peru 0
- Venezuela 2 Bolivia 0
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)
