2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Dates | 7 September 2023 – September 2025 |
Teams | 10 (from 1 confederation) |
Tournament statistics | |
Matches played | 30 |
Goals scored | 55 (1.83 per match) |
Attendance | 1,276,150 (42,538 per match) |
Top scorer(s) | ![]() |
← 2022 2030 → All statistics correct as of 21 November 2023. |
The South American section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification will act as qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico for national teams who are members of CONMEBOL. A total of 6 direct slots in the final tournament and 1 inter-confederation play-off slot are available for CONMEBOL teams.[1][2]
CONMEBOL is the first confederation to begin its qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Paraguay-Peru being the first match of the global qualification process.[3][4]
Format
On 22 August 2022, CONMEBOL sent a request to FIFA asking to keep the current qualification format that has been used since the 1998 World Cup qualification in South America.[5][6][7] This was confirmed, with the first games of the qualifiers tentatively to be played in March or June 2023.[8][9][10]
On 27 February 2023, CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez announced that the qualifiers would start in September 2023,[11][12] which was ratified by the CONMEBOL Council in the run-up to the 73rd FIFA Congress held on 16 March in Kigali, Rwanda.[13][14]
The qualification structure remains the same as in previous editions, despite the increase of slots available to CONMEBOL teams, wherein each team plays each other team twice in a home-and-away round-robin format.[15]
Prior to the commencement of the qualification competition, Ecuador were deducted 3 points for falsifying birth documents for Byron Castillo in the previous World Cup qualification cycle.[16]
Schedule
The qualifying matches are being held in a total of 18 matchdays on dates that fall within the FIFA International Match Calendar.[17] The match schedule is the same that was used in the previous edition of the competition. Six matchdays will be played in 2023, six in 2024 and also six in 2025.[15]
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Entrants
All 10 national teams from CONMEBOL entered qualification.
Team | FIFA World Rankings as at July 2023[28] |
---|---|
![]() | 1 |
![]() | 3 |
![]() | 16 |
![]() | 17 |
![]() | 21 |
![]() | 32 |
![]() | 40 |
![]() | 49 |
![]() | 57 |
![]() | 83 |
Standings
Pos | Team
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 15 | 2026 FIFA World Cup | — | 0–2 | Jun | Sep '25 | 1–0 | Mar | 1–0 | 5 Sep | Oct | Nov | |
2 | ![]() | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 13 | Mar | — | Nov | Jun | Oct | 2–0 | 6 Sep | 3–1 | 3–0 | Sep '25 | ||
3 | ![]() | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 12 | 10 Sep | 2–2 | — | 1–0 | Nov | 2–1 | Mar | Oct | Sep '25 | Jun | ||
4 | ![]() | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 9 | Oct | 10 Sep | Sep '25 | — | 0–0 | Nov | 1–0 | 3–0 | Jun | Mar | ||
5 | ![]() | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 8 | Sep '25 | 2–1 | 0–0 | Mar | — | Jun | Oct | 1–0 | Nov | 10 Sep | ||
6 | ![]() | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 7 | +1 | 7 | 0–1 | Nov | Mar | 1–1 | 6 Sep | — | Jun | Sep '25 | 5–1 | Oct | ||
7 | ![]() | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 5 | Inter-confederation play-offs | Nov | Jun | 0–1 | Oct | Sep '25 | 10 Sep | — | Mar | 1–0 | 0–0 | |
8 | ![]() | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 7 | −4 | 5 | Jun | Sep '25 | 0–0 | Nov | Mar | Oct | 0–0 | — | 10 Sep | 2–0 | ||
9 | ![]() | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 14 | −10 | 3 | 0–3 | Mar | Oct | 5 Sep | 1–2 | Sep '25 | Nov | Jun | — | 2–0 | ||
10 | ![]() | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | −7 | 2 | 0–2 | Oct | 6 Sep | 1–1 | Jun | 0–1 | Sep '25 | Nov | Mar | — |
Notes:
- ^ Ecuador were deducted 3 points for falsifying birth documents for Byron Castillo in the previous World Cup qualification cycle.[29]
Matches
Matchday 1
Colombia ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Borré ![]() | Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) |
Uruguay ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) | Vidal ![]() |
Matchday 2
Bolivia ![]() | 0–3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) |
|
Peru ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) | Marquinhos ![]() |
Matchday 3
Colombia ![]() | 2–2 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) |
|
Matchday 4
Uruguay ![]() | 2–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
| Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) |
Matchday 5
Colombia ![]() | 2–1 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Díaz ![]() | Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) | Martinelli ![]() |
Chile ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report (FIFA) Report (CONMEBOL) |
Matchday 6
Matchday 7
Argentina ![]() | Match 35 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Report |
Matchday 8
Matchday 9
Matchday 10
Matchday 11
Matchday 12
Matchday 13
Matchday 14
Matchday 15
Matchday 16
Matchday 17
Matchday 18
Inter-confederation play-offs
The seventh-placed team will join one team each from AFC, CAF, and OFC and two from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation play-offs. The teams will be ranked according to the FIFA Men's World Ranking, with the four lowest-ranked teams playing in two single-elimination matches. The winners will meet the two highest-ranked teams in another set of single-elimination matches, with the winners of these matches qualifying for the World Cup in United States, Canada, and Mexico.[34]
Goalscorers
There have been 55 goals scored in 30 matches, for an average of 1.83 goals per match (as of 21 November 2023).
5 goals
3 goals
2 goals
Nicolás Otamendi
Neymar
Rodrygo
Luis Díaz
Rafael Santos Borré
Félix Torres
Salomón Rondón
1 goal
Enzo Fernández
Nicolás González
Nicolás Tagliafico
Víctor Ábrego
Rodrigo Ramallo
Henry Vaca
Ramiro Vaca
Gabriel Magalhães
Marquinhos
Gabriel Martinelli
Raphinha
Marcelino Núñez
Diego Valdés
Arturo Vidal
James Rodríguez
Mateus Uribe
Ángel Mena
Kendry Páez
Kevin Rodríguez
Antonio Sanabria
Yoshimar Yotún
Ronald Araújo
Agustín Canobbio
Mathías Olivera
Federico Valverde
Eduard Bello
Darwin Machís
Jefferson Savarino
Yeferson Soteldo
1 own goal
Gabriel Villamíl (against Uruguay)
Notes
- ^ The Bolivia v Ecuador match, originally scheduled at 16:00 local time,[21] was rescheduled to 19:00 local time by decision of the Bolivian Football Federation.[30][31]
- ^ The Paraguay v Bolivia match, originally scheduled at Estadio Antonio Aranda, Ciudad del Este,[21] was rescheduled at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción by decision of the Paraguayan Football Association.[30][31]
- ^ The Chile v Bolivia match, originally scheduled at 21:00 local time,[25] was rescheduled to 18:00 local time.[32][27]
- ^ The Paraguay v Brazil match, originally scheduled at 20:00 local time,[25] was rescheduled to 20:30 local time.[33][27]
References
- ^ "Bureau of the Council recommends slot allocation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup". FIFA. 30 March 2017.
- ^ "FIFA Council prepares Congress, takes key decisions for the future of the FIFA World Cup". FIFA. 9 May 2017.
- ^ "Road to the FIFA World Cup 26 set to begin". FIFA. 28 August 2023.
- ^ "CONMEBOL kick off journey of "great joy and happiness" to historic FIFA World Cup 2026™, says FIFA President". FIFA. 7 September 2023.
- ^ "Conselho da Conmebol solicita à Fifa que mantenha formato atual das Eliminatórias para 2026". ge (in Portuguese). globo.com. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "CONMEBOL's petition for the 2026 World Cup that could change FIFA's entire plans". Bolavip. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "Países sudamericanos pedirán a la FIFA mantener el formato de las Eliminatorias" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
- ^ "Conmebol confirmó fecha para el inicio de las Eliminatorias 2026". Bolavip (in Spanish). 4 October 2022. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ Verdezoto, Kevin (8 December 2022). "Eliminatorias Conmebol iniciarían en junio del 2023; primera fecha FIFA sería en marzo" (in Spanish). Ecuavisa. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Eliminatorias 2026: ¿cuándo arranca la clasificatoria sudamericana?" (in Spanish). Futbolred. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Eliminatorias Sudamericanas iniciarán entre septiembre y octubre" (in Spanish). Olé. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Alejandro Domínguez confirmó que las Eliminatorias comenzarán en septiembre" (in Spanish). Directv Sports. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "El Consejo de Conmebol aprobó por unanimidad el inicio de las Eliminatorias en septiembre" (in Spanish). Doble Amarilla. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Conmebol definió el calendario para las Eliminatorias rumbo al Mundial 2026" (in Spanish). América Televisión. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b "El calendario de partidos para las Eliminatorias Sudamericanas" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "The CAS confirms the eligibility of the player Byron Castillo (Ecuador) but imposes sanctions against the Ecuadorian Football Federation for a violation of the FIFA regulations" (PDF). Court of Arbitration for Sport. 8 November 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ "Men's International Match Calendar 2023-2030" (PDF). FIFA. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Regresan las Eliminatorias Sudamericanas" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 August 2023.
- ^ "Eliminatorias FWC2026 Calendario de Partidos Jornadas 1 y 2" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "Fechas 3 y 4 de las Eliminatorias Sudamericanas" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 23 August 2023.
- ^ a b c "Eliminatorias FWC2026 Calendario de Partidos Jornadas 3 y 4" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "El Fixture para las Fechas 5 y 6" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 9 October 2023.
- ^ "Eliminatorias FWC2026 Calendario de Partidos Jornadas 7 y 8" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Fixture de las Fechas 7 y 8 de las Eliminatorias Sudamericanas" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "Eliminatorias FWC2026 Calendario de Partidos Jornadas 5 y 6" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Fixture de las Fechas 7 y 8 de las Eliminatorias Sudamericanas" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 5 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "Eliminatorias FWC2026 Calendario de Partidos Jornadas 5 y 6 (versión 03-ago-2024)" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ "FIFA Men's Ranking". FIFA.com. 20 July 2023.
- ^ "The CAS confirms the eligibility of the player Byron Castillo (Ecuador) but imposes sanctions against the Ecuadorian Football Federation for a violation of the FIFA regulations" (PDF). Court of Arbitration for Sport. 8 November 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Actualizado el calendario de las Fechas 3 y 4" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 21 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Eliminatorias FWC2026 Jornadas 3 y 4.pdf" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 21 September 2023.
- ^ "Cambio de horario en un partido de Eliminatorias Sudamericanas" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 5 August 2024.
- ^ "Modificación de horario en un partido de Eliminatorias Sudamericanas" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 7 August 2024.
- ^ "Bureau of the Council recommends slot allocation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup". FIFA. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2023.