Venezuela Wins And Argentina Qualifies For The FIFA 2026 World Cup
Salomon Rondon of Venezuela celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the South of American ... More FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier between Venezuela and Peru at Estadio Monumental de Monagas on March 25, 2025 in Maturin, Venezuela. (Photo by)
Matchday 14 of South American FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying has come to a close and only two sides were victorious on this particular matchday: Argentina and Venezuela. Results mean that Argentina has now sealed its place at next summer's tournament whilst Venezuela can dare to dream of a first ever FIFA World Cup finals appearance.
Venezuela is the only South American nation in history that still hasn't made it to a FIFA World Cup. That might change in 2026 though as a 1-0 victory over Peru sends Venezuela into seventh place in the South American rankings; the crucial play-off spot. A Salomón Rondón penalty sealed the three points and the player showed exactly what it meant to him when he was too emotional to even answer questions about the World Cup in his post-match interview.
Colombia is still five points ahead, in the automatic qualification spot, but Venezuela still has to play in Barranquilla. Regardless, if the 'Vino Tinto' can at least secure a play-off spot then this is the closest it has ever been to reaching the biggest tournament in global sports. Defeat leaves Peru five points below Venezuela and with away fixtures against Colombia and Uruguay still to come, it likely spells the end of any World Cup aspirations.
The player of Argentina, Enzo Fernandez, celebrates a goal during a South American qualifier match ... More for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 25, 2025.
Argentina completely destroyed Brazil in Tuesday night's most high-profile fixture. Matheus Cunha's goal and overall performance was perhaps the only positive for the visitors. However for Argentina everything clicked, from the opening goal in the fourth minute, to the fourth goal from substitute Giuliano Simeone late on.
Argentina had already officially qualified for the World Cup, but in defeating Brazil with such a scoreline the team also sent a message to the football world that they are ready to defend their crown. Read about what this result means for both teams in more detail here.
EL ALTO, BOLIVIA - MARCH 25: José María Giménez of Uruguay and Carmelo Algarañaz of Bolivia battle ... More for the ball during the South of American FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier between Bolivia and Uruguay at Estadio Municipal de El Alto on March 25, 2025 in El Alto, Bolivia.
Bolivia's fortress 'El Alto' wasn't breached by Uruguay but there was no goal for the home team either. In fact, it's the first time that Bolivia has failed to score at home since a 3-0 defeat to Argentina in September 2023. This game against Uruguay finished before the other Tuesday night fixtures commenced and so confirmed Argentina's spot at the FIFA 2026 World Cup before the reigning champions kicked a ball against Brazil.
A draw leaves Bolivia just a point behind Venezuela in the World Cup play-off spot; the two teams meet in the next international window in what is a huge fixture for both sides. Uruguay sit third in the table, six points above Venezuela. It's now nine games with only one victory for Marcelo Bielsa's men, but at least they have pretty much sealed World Cup qualification.
Colombia's forward #07 Luis Diaz and Paraguay's midfielder #08 Diego Gomez fight for the ball during ... More the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Colombia and Paraguay at the Metropolitano Roberto Melendez stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, on March 25, 2025.
Colombia, much like fierce rivals Uruguay and Brazil, seem to be stuck at the final few hurdles of World Cup qualification. This draw came after the hosts were 2-0 up in the first half but now they have just one win from their last six outings, and three defeats in their last four.
Despite Colombia 'throwing the lead away' the Paraguay performance probably deserved a point. The visitors had 21 shots to Colombia's 10, and Julio Enciso's equaliser was absolutely superb. In fact the Brighton midfielder very nearly scored a similar screamer in the first half.
Unbeaten in eight games now, Paraguay has been on top form and deserves to be sitting comfortably at fifth in the table. Colombia sits in sixth, a point behind Paraguay and five ahead of Venezuela. However with home fixtures against Peru and Bolivia to come Colombia should secure qualification before visiting Venezuela on the final matchday.
SANTIAGO, CHILE - MARCH 25: Felipe Loyola of Chile looks dejected after the South of American FIFA ... More World Cup 2026 Qualifier between Chile and Ecuador at Estadio Nacional de Chile on March 25, 2025 in Santiago, Chile.
After this result Chile can probably kiss their World Cup dream farewell. 'La Roja' trail Venezuela by five points but still have to play Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in three of the remaining four qualification games.
Ecuador extends its unbeaten qualifying run to seven games, scoring seven and conceding just one goal during that impressive run. Sitting second in the table 'La Tricolor' can now begin to think about their fifth visit to a FIFA World Cup finals, all of which have come since their tournament debut in 2002.
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