The latest round of World Cup qualifiers in South America has left fans stunned and pundits scratching their heads. Disappointing results for the continent’s two powerhouses, Argentina and Brazil, have raised serious questions about their form and firepower heading into the 2026 tournament. Let’s dive into the bombshells that have the soccer world buzzing.
Is Argentina’s Golden Era Coming to a Close?
Argentina may have already punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, but all is not well in the land of the Albiceleste. A shocking 2-1 defeat to Paraguay, followed by a lackluster 1-0 win over Peru, has many wondering if the team’s best days are behind them.
As Argentine football writer Juan Pablo Varsky put it: “The Peru game represented something very important — the end of the nucleus that we have come to know as the best Argentina side ever.” With Lionel Messi’s international future uncertain and key players like Ángel Di María proving irreplaceable, coach Lionel Scaloni may need to go back to the drawing board.
Uruguay Weathers the Storm, For Now
Uruguay looked to be in crisis mode after a string of poor results and behind-the-scenes drama involving Luis Suárez’s retirement. But a thrilling victory over Colombia and a gritty draw with Brazil have steadied the ship for now under enigmatic coach Marcelo Bielsa.
“Bielsa’s decisions paid off: leaving Manuel Ugarte, by the coach’s admission the best player of his reign, out of the starting lineup against Colombia; taking Darwin Núñez off at half-time against Brazil worked out OK,”
according to ESPN correspondent Tim Vickery.
Ecuador Find Missing Piece in Gonzalo Plata
Ecuador boast one of the stingiest defenses in CONMEBOL qualifying, but their lack of reliable goal-scorers has held them back. The return to form of winger Gonzalo Plata, now starring for Brazilian club Flamengo, could be the missing piece that propels Ecuador to new heights in 2026.
Colombia Coach Faces First True Test
After going undefeated for two years, Colombia have hit a rough patch under coach Nestor Lorenzo. How he reacts to this first real adversity, and whether he continues to rely on aging stars like James Rodríguez, could make or break Los Cafeteros’ World Cup dreams.
Brazil’s Imbalance Leaves Them Vulnerable
On paper, Brazil should be running away with the qualifying campaign. Their sheer talent is the envy of the continent. But an overreliance on individual attackers and a soft underbelly in midfield have left them looking disjointed and beatable.
“Brazil’s talent is unevenly distributed around the pitch,”
Vickery notes.“There are more strikers in wide spaces than they can use…But it can all be too frenetic, too direct, without pauses and changes in rhythm. And also, crucially, the way the side is set up is leaving Brazil too open in central midfield.”
Coach Dorival Júnior has time to find the right balance before 2026, but every match is a valuable opportunity to fine-tune his approach. If he fails to steady the ship, the soccer-mad nation’s patience will wear thin very quickly.
Paraguay’s Remarkable Resurgence Under Alfaro
From the depths of despair, Paraguay have clawed their way back into contention for their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Much of the credit goes to unassuming Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, a defensive mastermind who has made Paraguay a formidable foe on the counter-attack.
Bolivia Bank on Home-Field Advantage
For Bolivia, the thin air of La Paz has always been their ace in the hole. This campaign, they’ve doubled down, moving their matches to the lung-busting altitude of El Alto. A shock away win over Chile has them dreaming of a first World Cup berth since 1994, but a recent home draw with Paraguay leaves little margin for error.
Venezuela Cling to Fading 2026 Dream
Venezuela were the darlings of the early qualifying rounds, but injuries and Father Time have seen them tumble down the table. Holding Argentina and Brazil to draws on home soil has kept their fleeting hopes alive, but can they rediscover their attacking verve and win the matches they’ll need to reach the promised land?
Can Gareca Revive Chile’s Glory Days?
The appointment of esteemed Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca, mastermind of Peru’s renaissance last decade, has given Chile a glimmer of hope. But the decay that has beset Chilean soccer since their “Golden Generation” won Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016 runs deep. For Gareca to lead Chile to 2026, with a squad desperately lacking young stars, would require a minor miracle.
As the dust settles after the latest qualifiers, only two things are certain: the road to the 2026 World Cup will be full of twists and turns, and South America’s traditional heavyweights have more questions than answers. Can aging stars shine bright one more time? Will young blood revitalize fading squads? The soccer world will be watching with bated breath.
