With 12 rounds already completed and six match days remaining, FIFA World Cup qualifying action will resume in South America during the international break in March and be finished in September.
As it stands Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Paraguay currently fill the top six qualifying positions.
Those countries now have clear space between themselves and the four other CONMEBOL members (Bolivia, Venezuela, Chile and Peru), especially group leaders Argentina who are virtually assured of a place at the finals.
Meanwhile the Selecao, after a period of missteps, are now in a more comfortable fifth thus making it more likely Brazil will maintain their unique record of appearing in every FIFA World Cup.
Though they will have to contend with a visit to Argentina, Dorival Junior’s charges should have confirmed qualification sometime before they visit the heights of La Paz on the final match day.
The likelihood is that further down the table there could well be a battle between Bolivia, Venezuela, and probably Chile for the seventh position which guarantees a playoff against countries from other confederations.
Assuming those South American powerhouses, led by the holders Argentina, do qualify they will be strongly favoured to do well when the World Cup begins in Mexico City in June 2026.
Analysis – John Bethell