The South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup resume with intense matchups, highlighted by the classic rivalry between Argentina and Uruguay, as well as the clash between Brazil and Colombia. Matchday 13, set to be played between Thursday and Friday, promises high-stakes encounters as teams fight for their spot in the tournament set to take place in North America.
Argentina Leads the Race
With 12 out of 18 matchdays completed, Argentina, the reigning world champion, sits comfortably at the top of the table with 25 points, just one step away from securing qualification. Uruguay follows closely with 20 points, while Ecuador and Colombia share third place with 19 points each. Brazil, with 18 points, and Paraguay, with 17, currently round out the top six teams in direct qualification positions.
Bolivia holds the intercontinental playoff spot with 13 points, while Venezuela (12 points), Chile (9 points), and Peru (7 points) are on the outside looking in, hoping to turn things around in the remaining matches.
Key Matches of Matchday 13
The action kicks off on Thursday with three crucial matches:
- Paraguay vs. Chile in Asunción: A vital match for both teams, especially for Chile, which is struggling near the bottom of the standings.
- Brazil vs. Colombia in Brasília: A crucial encounter for both teams, as Brazil looks to regain momentum without Neymar, who is sidelined due to injury.
- Peru vs. Bolivia in Lima: A must-win match for both nations as they fight to stay in contention for qualification.
On Friday, the matchday concludes with two major fixtures:
- Ecuador vs. Venezuela: Ecuador seeks to maintain its strong position, while Venezuela looks to climb into the playoff spot.
- Uruguay vs. Argentina in Montevideo: The highly anticipated Clásico del Río de la Plata will take place without Argentina’s star player, Lionel Messi, who was ruled out due to a last-minute injury.
Argentina’s Potential Early Qualification
With a victory, Argentina could mathematically secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, further cementing their dominance in the region. However, Uruguay, playing at home, will look to close the gap and prove their strength under coach Marcelo Bielsa.
As the qualifiers progress, every point becomes more valuable, and with just six matchdays left after this round, the race for World Cup spots is intensifying. Fans can expect thrilling football, high stakes, and dramatic moments as South America’s best teams battle for their ticket to North America 2026.