That expanded field means Argentina is already well on its way to a World Cup return, but the table is tightening up. Brazil have recovered after a slow start, while Colombia and Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay are dangerous but have had hiccups and Bolivia had won three in a row to thicken the plot in the race for the final

Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia occupy the top six spots for direct World Cup qualification. Bolivia holds the seventh spot for an intercontinental playoff, with Venezuela close behind.

In the FIFA World Cup 2026 CONMEBOL qualifying match on 22 March, 10-men Argentina defeated Uruguay away 1-0, with Thiago Almada scoring the only goal of the match in the 68th minute. Despite missing their captain Lionel Messi due to muscle injury as well as several other key players,