World Cup Calculators Are Out: South America’s Final Sprint
Argentina’s national team can rest now. They’ve punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup and now watch the chaos from the top. Led by Lionel Messi, still the heart of the Albiceleste, and joined by a young star turning heads worldwide, Franco Mastantuono, Lionel Scaloni’s squad shapes up as a top favorite. Meanwhile, the rest of South America crunches numbers, suffers, and dreams. With just a few matches left, no one wants to miss the big party in North America.
Ecuador is almost there. Despite starting the qualifiers with a three-point penalty, they sit second and need just one more win to lock in. Paraguay, still unbeaten under Gustavo Alfaro, is close too. Brazil, however, faces uncertainty. Carlo Ancelotti can’t find the team’s rhythm, drawing with Ecuador and now needing a win plus help to qualify directly. Uruguay, led by Marcelo Bielsa, fell to Paraguay and must win, while Venezuela lurks close behind, ready to pounce.
Colombia’s hopes dimmed after a frustrating draw with Peru at home, a match where their strikers misfired despite roaring crowds. Their next stop is Argentina, where Messi’s red-hot form and Mastantuono’s flair pose a daunting test. Venezuela, meanwhile, ignites dreams with a gutsy win over Bolivia, their fans flooding Caracas streets in celebration. The Vinotinto eyes a historic playoff spot, driven by a hunger to secure their first World Cup appearance. Bolivia, Peru, and Chile slip further behind, their chances fading like a distant echo. Chile’s La Roja, once one of the best teams in South America, battles injuries and poor form, leaving supporters heartbroken as miracles grow scarce.
Stadiums pulse with life, from Quito’s heights to Montevideo’s shores, as South America’s qualifiers deliver heart-stopping drama in every game. Late goals, shock draws, and stars like Mastantuono light up the race. Argentina sits calm, its ticket punched, but the region’s underdogs and giants clash with strong passion. Every tackle carries the weight of history, every cheer a cry for glory. In South America, reaching the World Cup transcends sport; it’s a badge of national pride, a fire that burns in every fan’s heart, fueling the fight until the final whistle.
