South America sends six teams to expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup

Staff Reporter SIX South American nations have qualified for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay securing direct places in what will be the largest edition of the global tournament to date. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026 and will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. It will be the first World Cup staged across three countries and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format, up from 32.

The South American qualifying campaign, organised by the Confederation of South American Football (CONMEBOL), offered six automatic qualification spots and one intercontinental play-off place. It was also the first regional qualifying process to begin for the 2026 tournament, with Paraguay’s match against Peru marking the opening fixture of the global qualifiers. Reigning world champions Argentina head into the tournament as one of the strongest contenders after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.