The First Matchday of the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup
The South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup kick off, with matches promising what has always been the norm in this confederation: a gladiatorial arena.
As you may know, from now until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, it will be an ongoing battle.
First Matchday of the South American Qualifiers
CONMEBOL will offer six direct slots and one for the playoffs, so the ten teams will experience a special qualifying round: 18 matchdays to secure a spot in the World Cup.
Furthermore, the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup send a clear message: this region is the most favored, with only three teams set to miss out on the World Cup, including the playoff slot.
On September 7th and 8th, the first matchday of the qualifiers will take place, featuring five matches. The schedule for Matchday 1 of the qualifiers is as follows:
Thursday, September 7th
- Paraguay vs. Peru
- Colombia vs. Venezuela
- Argentina vs. Ecuador
Friday, September 8th
- Uruguay vs. Chile
- Brazil vs. Bolivia
As you can see, the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup kick off with highly competitive matchups.
Perhaps the least interesting is Brazil versus Bolivia, although in line with that, Brazilian fans are surely eager to see their team in action after the World Cup.
Uruguay versus Chile has become a classic, with tightly contested matches, full of struggle and intensity.
Colombia versus Venezuela in Barranquilla is a regional showdown, where Venezuela harbors hopes under the leadership of Fernando Batista, while Colombia aims to return to a World Cup and must do so by winning at home, also under the guidance of an Argentine.
Paraguay against Peru is a closely matched game that will allow us to assess if both teams have the capacity to vie for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are a spectacle, drawing great interest not only within the region.
Here, there is no tension about who will qualify but rather about who will be left with no chance.
So, this Thursday will witness the exciting start of the first matchday of the South American qualifiers.
Also read: Mexicans in the Europa League
