The race to the FIFA World Cup 2026, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is heating up, with several crucial matches altering the landscape of qualification across different confederations. Australia has secured their place, while Uruguay is on the verge. For Chile, however, the dream has ended.
Australia Clinches Sixth Consecutive World Cup Berth
The Subway Socceroos have officially qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking their sixth consecutive appearance at the global finals and seventh overall. This achievement was sealed with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. Overcoming a one-goal deficit, Connor Metcalfe and Mitchell Duke scored the goals which secured Australia's place. Australia finished second in Group C of the Third Qualifying Round, behind Japan. This direct qualification marks the first time since the 2014 campaign that Australia has avoided the play-off route.
The qualification campaign included a memorable 1-0 victory over Japan in front of a sell-out crowd in Perth. The team's success is a testament to the impact of coach Tony Popovic, who has instilled a sense of maturity and hunger within the squad. Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac congratulated Popovic, his staff, and the entire squad, emphasizing the significance of this milestone for Australian football.
Uruguay Nears Qualification After Victory Over Venezuela
Uruguay took a significant step toward securing their spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Venezuela in Montevideo. After a run of poor form, this win has greatly boosted their chances of direct qualification from the CONMEBOL (South American) region. Goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian de Arrascaeta secured the victory.
With Argentina already qualified, Uruguay's win puts them in a strong position alongside Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay. The top six teams from CONMEBOL will automatically qualify for the World Cup. Venezuela, despite the loss, remains in contention for a playoff spot.
Chile's World Cup Hopes Dashed
Chile's aspirations to participate in the 2026 World Cup suffered a fatal blow after a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia. The loss leaves Chile at the bottom of the South American qualifying table. Following the defeat, head coach Ricardo Gareca resigned. Chile will miss their third consecutive World Cup. The "Golden Generation," including players like Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel, could not deliver the required results, highlighting the challenges of generational transition within the team.
CONMEBOL Qualification Picture
The CONMEBOL qualifiers are always a challenging gauntlet, but with the expanded 48-team format for the 2026 World Cup, South America has been allocated six direct slots and one inter-confederation play-off spot. Argentina has already qualified, leaving several teams vying for the remaining positions.
Brazil, despite some inconsistent performances, is still favored to qualify. Ecuador, Uruguay, and Colombia are also in strong positions. Venezuela remains in the race for an automatic spot, while Peru and Chile have fallen behind.
Other Qualifying Teams
Besides the co-hosts (United States, Canada, and Mexico) and the teams mentioned above, several other nations have already secured their places in the 2026 World Cup. These include:
As the qualifying campaigns continue across the globe, more teams will secure their spots in what promises to be the biggest FIFA World Cup in history.
