José Giménez of Uruguay (L) battles for the ball with Vinícius Júnior of Brazil (R) during the FIFA … [+]
In FIFA World Cup 2026 South American qualifying just two points separate four teams in the ‘chasing pack’ behind league leaders Argentina.
Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil, in that order, currently sit between second and fifth place in the league table, all in automatic qualifying positions. Thankfully for them sixth teams will qualify for the tournament automatically from South America for the first time ever, had it been the normal amount of four teams then one of these giants would be certain to fall.
However, with six qualifying games to go there is still a lot to play for. Paraguay trail Brazil by just one point too, but all of these teams will be looking upwards wondering how they can catch Argentina and stake a claim as the best side in South America.
Victory for Brazil in October had them feeling confident once again, but they finished a rough year in similar fashion by managing just two draws in the November internationals away to Venezuela and at home to Uruguay.
Uruguay had the best November window of all. They had gone five games without a goal recently but a last gasp winner at home to rivals Colombia and a point away in Brazil mean they are back on track, amongst the goals, and in second place.
Colombia had their worst international break of the year, because they lost to Uruguay and then again at home to Ecuador a few days later. They have had a fantastic year and of course reached the Copa America final, but this will come as a reminder that they still have a job to do to qualify for the 2026 tournament.
Colombia’s midfielder #16 Juan Portilla reacts after losing the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American … [+]
Ecuador have gone under the radar, but perhaps they have been the best challenger of all. They started this qualifying on -3 points and so have actually picked up two points more than Uruguay in second place and in theory would be trailing league leaders Argentina by just three points.
Last time out they won in neighbouring Colombia, after thrashing Bolivia at home 4-0. With fixtures against Venezuela and struggling Chile in the March 2025 international window this means that Ecuador will be looking to confirm their place at the next World Cup very soon.
Many tasty match-ups between these sides and Argentina are yet to come in the six remaining rounds of matches to be played in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2025. Who will show that they are the South American side most capable of winning the 2026 World Cup?
Ecuador’s midfielder #23 Moises Caicedo (2ndR) heads the ball past Netherlands’ defender #05 Nathan … [+]
