Brazil clinched their spot in the 2026 World Cup in North America on Tuesday, eking out a 1-0 home victory over Paraguay.
The win, the first under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, was sealed by Vinicius Jr.’s 44th-minute goal from a Matheus Cunha cross.
Brazil, the only nation to appear in every World Cup, now sit third in the South American standings, guaranteeing a top-six finish.
Ecuador also secured their qualification, drawing 0-0 with Peru in Lima.
Other key results in the South American qualifiers saw Uruguay move closer to securing their spot with a 2-0 win over Venezuela.
Credit: Sports Illustrated
Goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta put Marcelo Bielsa’s side firmly on track. Meanwhile, Chile’s hopes were dashed as they were eliminated following a 2-0 loss to Bolivia, marking their third consecutive World Cup miss and a continued decline for the former back-to-back Copa América champions.
Already-qualified Argentina battled back for a 1-1 draw against Colombia in Buenos Aires. Despite Liverpool star Luis Diaz giving Colombia an early lead and Argentina being reduced to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez’s dismissal, Thiago Almada found an equaliser nine minutes from time.
Paraguay, despite their loss to Brazil, remain in contention, needing just one point from their remaining games for their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Venezuela, aiming for their historic first World Cup berth, currently sit in seventh place.
In South America, the top six teams automatically qualify, while the seventh-placed team proceeds to an intercontinental playoff.
