South American 2026 World Cup Qualifying: Everything You Need To Know As Conmebol Qualifying Resumes | OneFootball

By Louis Smith.

The first international window of 2025 begins this week, and with just one year, two months, and 24 days until the opening game of the 2026 World Cup, there’s still everything to play for in South America.

With qualification spots up for grabs, teams will be fighting for crucial points. Every match could shape the road to the tournament, making this window vital.

Argentina

Argentina will be eager to improve their form having dropped off towards the end of 2024 winning just two of their last five matches, which included two defeats.

Last time out, they suffered a 2-1 loss to Paraguay in Asuncion, before defeating Peru 1-0 at La Bombonera.

The squad features just one domestic-based player in the experienced Germán Pezzella.

Five Atletico Madrid players are included.

Benjamín Domínguez, Santiago Castro, and Máximo Perrone are in line for a first international cap.

Lionel Messi picked up a muscle strain in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United and misses out, as does, Lautaro Martínez.

Argentina Squad

Goalkeepers:Walter Benítez, Gerónimo Rulli, Emiliano Martínez

Defenders:Facundo Medina, Leonardo Balerdi, Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Germán Pezzella, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Tagliafico, Nicolás Otamendi

Midfielders:Benjamín Domínguez, Máximo Perrone, Giuliano Simeone, Thiago Almada, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Nicolás González, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul

Bolivia

Óscar Villegas will be hoping to return to winning ways after Bolivia ended 2024 by going winless in three matches. Prior to that, they had won three games on the spin.

In their most recent window, they suffered a 4-0 battering by Ecuador before drawing 2-2 at home to Paraguay.

They currently sit in seventh place, which would guarantee a spot in an intercontinental playoff match.

His squad sees 12 domestic-based players called up.

Ferrufino, Paniagua, Uraezaña, Banegas, Torrez, Macazaga, and Arroyo will be hoping to make their international debuts here.

Víctor Ábrego will look to impress after recent strong domestic performances.

Bolivia Squad

Goalkeepers:Guillermo Viscarra, Rodrigo Banegas, Braulio Uraezaña

Defenders:José Sagredo, Luis Haquín, Roberto Fernández, Diego Medina, Yomar Rocha, Luis Paz, Efraín Morales, Leonardo Zabala, Diego Arroyo, Lucas Macazaga, Marcelo Torrez

Midfielders:Ramiro Vaca, Gabriel Villamil, Miguel Terceros, Boris Céspedes, Héctor Cuéllar, Robson Tomé, Óscar López

Forwards:Carmelo Algarañaz, Víctor Ábrego, Lucas Chávez, Roler Ferrufino, Moisés Paniagua

Brazil

Brazil ended the year with two draws. First to a Venezuela on the road in a 1-1 tie, before repeating the scoreline against Uruguay in Salvador.

Dorival Júnior’s position as manager is hanging by a thread as fans have become frustrated by Seleção’s results and performances.

They currently sit fifth in the table and face an exciting-looking Colombia before taking on bitter rivals Argentina in what is expected to be a thrilling affair.

Four uncapped players have been called up in; Lucas Perri, Murillo, Léo Ortiz, and Wesley França.

Wesley had a standout 2024 for Flamengo and has carried that impressive form into 2025. The dynamic right-back played a crucial role in Flamengo’s campaign last year, showcasing his defensive solidity, attacking intent, and ability to influence games from the flank.

He is one of six domestic-based players in the squad.

Newcastle’s League Cup-winning heroes Joelinton and Bruno Guimarães are in the 23-man squad.

Brazil Squad

Goalkeepers:Alisson Becker, Bento, Lucas Perri

Defenders:Alex Sandro, Gabriel Magalhães, Guilherme Arana, Léo Ortiz, Marquinhos, Murillo, Vanderson, Wesley França

Midfielders:André, Bruno Guimarães, Gerson, Joelinton, Matheus Cunha

Chile

La Roja ended a seven-match winless streak back in November with a 4-2 victory over Venezuela. The other match in that month saw them draw 0-0 on the road against Peru.

Chile have already played a fixture in 2025, beating Panama 6-1 in a friendly back in February.

They currently sit ninth in the table, four points from the playoff place and need to improve results if they are to stand any chance of making the World Cup.

Gabriel Castellón, Lawrence Vigouroux, and Fernando Zampedri could earn their first caps here.

Zampedri became a naturalized Chilean last month.

The squad features 11 domestic-based players.

Alexis Sánchez is included in the squad but is set to miss the game with Paraguay due to an injury.

Chile Squad

Colombia

After missing out on the last World Cup, Colombia are in a healthy position this time around, sitting in fourth place, however, they will want to improve their form.

Back in November, Colombia suffered two defeats on the spin, first a 3-2 loss to Uruguay, before a 1-0 loss at home to Ecuador.

There are four potential debutants in the squad in; Kevin Mier, Juan David Cabal, Jhon Solís, and Juan Portilla.

Álvaro Montero is the only domestic-based player in the 26-man squad.

Los Cafeteros have called up two potential debutants in forwards Johan Carbonero and Marino Hinestroza,

Hinestroza is one of four Liga BetPlay Dimayor in the squad.

Colombia Squad

Ecuador

Sebastián Beccacece Ecuador enjoyed a great end to the year with three wins and two draws.

Despite a three-point deduction from the previous qualification cycle due to the Byron Castillo false birth document controversy, they currently sit third and are unbeaten in their last five matches.

Back in November, they enjoyed a 4-0 win over Bolivia, before stunning Colombia in a 1-0 victory in Barranquilla.

Félix Sánchez returned to Qatar to manage Al Sadd following the Copa America and has been replaced by Argentine, Sebastián Beccacece.

After six matches, they sit in 5th place and have lost just once, overcoming a three-point deduction for the use of false birth documents for Byron Castillo in the previous World Cup qualification cycle.

Denil Castillo and David Cabezas are in line for a potential first cap.

The squad includes six domestic-based players.

Ecuador Squad

Goalkeepers:

Hernán Galíndez, Moisés Ramírez, Gilmar Napa

Defenders:

Ángelo Preciado, Pervis Estupiñán, Félix Torres, Piero Hincapié, Xavier Arreaga, Willian Pacho, Jackson Porozo, Jhoanner Chávez, Joel Ordóñez

Midfielders:

Carlos Gruezo, Ángel Mena, Moisés Caicedo, Alan Franco, Jhegson Méndez, Jeremy Sarmiento, Kendry Páez, Alan Minda, John Yeboah, Janner Corozo, Pedro Vite, Patrickson Delgado, John Mercado

Forwards:

Enner Valencia, Kevin Rodríguez, Nilson Angulo, Anthony Valencia

Paraguay

Paraguay are starting to fall in love with their football team again following a positive end to 2025 which saw them go six matches unbeaten, as well as, earning wins over Brazil and Argentina.

In November, La Albirroja beat the World Champions 2-1 in Asunción, before a 2-2 draw away from home against Bolivia.

They currently occupy sixth place and are on course to qualify for their first World Cup in 16 years.

Orlando Gill, Ronaldo de Jesús, and Rubén Lezcano are three uncapped players within the squad.

Cerro Porteño’s Gatito Fernández, Rodney Redes of Olimpia, and Gustavo Velazquez of Cerro make it three domestic-based players for Paraguay.

Paraguay Squad

Peru

Peru sit rock bottom of qualification, two points adrift of anyone else.

Their performances and results have been shambolic, having won only once in 12 matches.

Óscar Ibáñez will take charge of his first game here, following the sacking of Jorge Fossati.

His squad includes 13 domestic-based players and three potential debutants in; Kenji Cabrera, Diego Enríquez, and Catriel Cabellos.

Veteran forward Paolo Guerrero will captain La Bicolor.

Peru Squad

Uruguay

Uruguay will be eager for an improvement in form having won only once in their last six matches, they are unbeaten in their last three however with two draws and a win.

Back in November, they enjoyed a 3-2 win over Colombia before earning a point in a 1-1 draw with Brazil on the road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s squad features one domestic-based player, Juan Rodríguez, who is the only player yet to feature for La Celeste.

Rodrígues is a 19-year-old defender who plays his club football and giants Peñarol.

Uruguay Squad

Goalkeepers: Franco Israel, Santiago Mele, Sergio Rochet, Guillermo Varela

Defenders: José Luis Rodríguez, José María Giménez (captain), Juan Rodríguez, Marcelo Saracchi, Mathías Olivera, Nicolás Marichal, Santiago Bueno

Midfielders: Federico Valverde (vice-captain), Manuel Ugarte, Maximiliano Araújo, Nahitan Nández, Nicolás Fonseca, Rodrigo Bentancur

Forwards: Brian Rodríguez, Cristian Olivera, Darwin Núñez, Facundo Pellistri, Facundo Torres, Luciano Rodríguez, Rodrigo Aguirre

Venezuela

Despite a great Copa America, Venezuela failed to deliver in the World Cup qualifiers in 2024 – failing to win any of their six games.

La Vinotinto currently sit in eighth place, one point from the Intercontinental play-off place. They will be desperate to turn their fortunes around.

Back in January, Venezuela took on the USA in a friendly, suffering a 3-1 loss.

Venezuela have called up a squad of 32 players.

The only domestic-based player to be called up is Carlos Vivas of Deportivo Táchira.

Delvin Alfonzo, Renne Rivas, and Jesús Bueno are potential debutants.

Venezuela Squad

Match 13 Fixtures

Paraguay vs Chile | Kick-off — 23:00 (GMT) 20/03/2025

Brazil vs Colombia | Kick-off — 00:45 (GMT) 21/03/2025

Peru vs Bolivia | Kick-off — 01:30 (GMT) 21/03/2025

Ecuador vs Venezuela| Kick-off — 21:00 (GMT) 21/03/2025

Uruguay vs Argentina| Kick-off — 23:30 (GMT) 21/03/2025

Match 14 Fixtures

Bolivia vs Uruguay | Kick-off — 20:00 (GMT) 25/03/2025

Argentina vs Brazil| Kick-off — 00:00 (GMT) 26/03/2025

Chile vs Ecuador| Kick-off — 00:00 (GMT) 26/03/2025

Colombia vs Paraguay | Kick-off — 00:00 (GMT) 26/03/2025

Venezuela vs Peru | Kick-off — 00:00 (GMT) 26/03/2025