The race for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in South America is almost over. On Thursday night, Colombia and Paraguay became the latest teams to secure their spots, while Bolivia and Venezuela were left to battle for the final playoff berth in CONMEBOL.
James Rodríguez Delivers Another Magical Moment for Colombia
Long after fans had left the national stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia’s captain James Rodríguez sat quietly on the grass, reflecting on the team’s return to the World Cup after missing out in 2022, and reflecting on his career.
A player who has always given everything for his country, despite a rocky club career, James once again proved to be the talisman in Colombia’s most crucial moments. One of the most famous Colombian footballers of all time, the 34-year-old attacking midfielder remains the heartbeat of the national side.
With 116 caps, James is now Colombia’s most-capped outfield player (only goalkeeper David Ospina has more, with 129). His international résumé speaks for itself: six goals and the Golden Boot in Colombia’s historic 2014 World Cup quarterfinal run; two goals and multiple assists in the 2016 Copa América; and six goals in the 2018 qualifying campaign, including the decisive strike against Peru. Though injuries limited him at the 2018 finals, he still contributed two assists.
At the 2024 Copa América, James sparked a late-career resurgence, setting the all-time tournament record with six assists and adding a goal, while creating 19 chances overall.
This qualifying cycle again showcased his leadership. Against Bolivia, it was James who broke the deadlock with a composed finish in the 31st minute, sending the packed stadium into raptures. Bolivia rarely threatened (just three shots on target), and after James was replaced by River Plate’s Juan Fernando Quintero, Colombia added two more goals. Quintero assisted Jhon Córdoba in the 74th minute, then scored a spectacular strike himself to seal a 3–0 win and confirm Colombia’s World Cup ticket.
Another highlight came late, when 39-year-old Dayro Moreno entered the pitch, becoming the oldest outfield player ever to appear for Colombia. The nation’s all-time leading scorer received a hero’s welcome, with Colombian fans across the world singing the Baile Moreno song.
Colombian manager Néstor Lorenzo now faces key questions about his aging squad with two friendlies in the United States upcoming. Still, with the 2026 World Cup staged in the United States, Mexico, and Canada — home to a massive Colombian diaspora — his team can expect raucous home-like support in stadiums filled with yellow jerseys.
Paraguay Reaches First World Cup in 16 Years
It was not the most compelling match, but Paraguay’s scoreless draw with Ecuador was enough to secure their return to the World Cup. Their 6-7-4 record included memorable home victories against regional giants Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
A quarterfinalist at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Paraguay missed the next three tournaments before finally returning in 2026. Against Ecuador, the combined expected goals failed to crack 1, a fitting outcome between two sides that leaned heavily on defensive solidity to qualify under FIFA’s expanded format. Ecuador, powered by Arsenal’s new man Piero Hincapié and PSG’s Willian Pacho in defense, has now made three of the last four World Cups — grinding out four straight goalless draws to finish the campaign. Paraguay, led by Sunderland’s Omar Alderete in the backline, also boasts enough midfield depth to pose problems in the 2026 World Cup.
Elsewhere, Uruguay secured qualification with a 3–0 victory over a luckless Peru. Marcelo Bielsa’s team once again looks like a dangerous World Cup contender.
Venezuela Maintains Faith After Messi Magic
With a 4-6-7 record and a superior goal difference, Venezuela hold a one-point edge over Bolivia heading into the final matchday. Their momentum took a hit with a heavy defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires, where a tearful Lionel Messi scored twice, and nearly a hat trick, in what may have been his final appearance in front of home fans for the national team.
Bolivia now host Brazil at their daunting high-altitude venue in El Alto. Although Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil side have little at stake, they still possess far more quality, even with a rotated lineup. Brazil dismantled Bolivia 5–1 earlier in qualifying, and La Verde showed little bite against Colombia.
That leaves Venezuela with a more realistic path. They host already-qualified Colombia in Maturín, where they have beaten Peru and Bolivia this campaign. A win guarantees a playoff berth, but even a draw or loss could be enough as long as Bolivia fail to upset Brazil. Should they advance, Venezuela would enter the intercontinental playoff, where, as one Caracas Chronicles columnist put it: “We’ve condemned ourselves to wait on others and, if lucky, plan a match against an African powerhouse like Senegal or Cameroon, spark tension with a likely CONCACAF qualifier like Trinidad & Tobago, or face absolute shame by being knocked out by New Caledonia.”
Looking Ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
South America’s traditional powers still lead the way. World champions Argentina top the group by 10 points, while Brazil, though inconsistent, and lacking their usual elite squad quality, sit second on 28 points (8-4-5) and showed their quality in a 3–0 win over eliminated Chile. Uruguay put together a sterling qualifying campaign, avoiding any late stress.
Ecuador and Paraguay both arrive in 2026 as emerging sides capable of a dark-horse run. Colombia again underwhelmed during qualifying but boast the talent and experience to challenge. The region’s possible final World Cup representative will be decided in March, when either Venezuela or Bolivia heads into the intercontinental playoff against opposition from Africa, Asia, or North/Central America.
Main Photo Credit: Imago Images Copyright: xDanielxBartel
