Argentina Becomes First South American Team to Qualify for 2026 World Cup

Argentina became the first South American team to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, benefiting from Bolivia’s inability to claim a crucial victory over Uruguay.

The reigning world champions officially booked their ticket without stepping onto the pitch, as Bolivia were held to a 0-0 draw at home. The result leaves Bolivia in seventh place with 14 points from 14 matches, making it mathematically impossible for them to overtake Argentina in the race for an automatic qualification spot.

With only four games remaining in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, Argentina leads the standings with 28 points from 13 matches. The expanded format of the 2026 tournament, which allows six South American teams to qualify directly, ensured Argentina’s early passage to the competition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Bolivia, still in contention for an inter-confederation playoff spot, needed a win to delay Argentina’s qualification but struggled to break past Uruguay’s resilient defence. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, they were repeatedly denied by Uruguay’s goalkeeper Sergio Rochet.

Uruguay, meanwhile, strengthened their own qualification hopes, remaining in fourth place with 21 points from 14 matches.

Argentina, who face arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires later on Tuesday, will now shift their focus toward preparations for their title defence, aiming for a record-equalling fourth World Cup triumph after victories in 1978, 1986, and 2022.