Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay secure their tickets to the 2026 World Cup

Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay officially sealed their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup during the penultimate round of the South American qualifiers, ensuring that three more historic nations will be present when the tournament takes place across Mexico, the United States and Canada.

For South American football, the night was full of drama, goals and celebrations, with all three sides writing important chapters in their respective footballing histories.

Colombia were the first to book their ticket with a commanding 3-0 victory at home against Bolivia. The win showcased both the experience and the creativity of a side that has quietly built momentum under Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo. James Rodríguez, once again donning the captain’s armband, set the tone with the opening goal in the 31st minute. The former FC Porto star has experienced highs and lows in his career, but his composure in front of goal demonstrated why he remains such a key figure for his country. The goal came after an incisive pass from Santiago Arias, himself a player with European pedigree, who once featured for Sporting CP in Portugal.

The second goal came in the 74th minute, with Juan Fernando Quintero the playmaker known for his vision and technique providing an assist for Jhon Córdoba. The powerful striker converted with authority, effectively ending Bolivia’s resistance. Just nine minutes later, Quintero himself found the net, this time set up by Luis Díaz, another Colombian with strong ties to Portuguese football from his time at FC Porto before becoming a Premier League standout at Liverpool. The 3-0 scoreline reflected Colombia’s dominance and sent their fans in Barranquilla into celebration, as the team qualified for their seventh World Cup. Their best performance remains the 2014 edition in Brazil, when James Rodríguez inspired them to the quarter-finals and won the tournament’s Golden Boot.

Bolivia, in contrast, face an uphill battle. Sitting in eighth place, they must now defeat Brazil at home and hope Venezuela slip against Colombia to have any chance of reaching the intercontinental playoff. Their campaign has been marked by inconsistency, and the clash against Brazil in the high-altitude city of La Paz will likely prove their final test.

Meanwhile, in Montevideo, Uruguay continued their resurgence under Marcelo Bielsa with an equally emphatic 3-0 victory over Peru. La Celeste dominated from the opening whistle, driven by the aggressive pressing and fast transitions that have become hallmarks of Bielsa’s coaching style. Their early pressure paid off in the 14th minute, when Guillermo Varela launched a cross into the area and Rodrigo Aguirre rose highest to power a header past Pedro Gallese.

Uruguay’s second goal came midway through the second half, as Giorgian de Arrascaeta one of South America’s most technically gifted midfielders found space in the box and finished clinically in the 58th minute. The goal further tilted the momentum in Uruguay’s favor, leaving Peru with little hope of a comeback. By the 80th minute, Federico Viñas added a third, capitalizing on Peru’s defensive lapses to put the result beyond doubt. The 3-0 win secured Uruguay’s place at their 12th World Cup, adding to a proud history that includes two titles (1930 and 1950) and countless legendary players.

For Peru, the defeat was devastating. Their slim hopes of reaching the playoff evaporated, meaning they will miss the chance to replicate the success of recent years when they reached the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The team, led by coach Juan Reynoso, struggled for consistency throughout the qualifiers and ultimately paid the price.

The final qualification spot of the night went to Paraguay, who confirmed their return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Though their 0-0 draw against Ecuador lacked goals, the result was enough to secure their passage with 25 points, seven clear of seventh-placed Venezuela. Under coach Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay have rebuilt with a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, and while their campaign lacked the flair of other nations, their resilience proved decisive. The last time Paraguay reached a World Cup, they made it to the quarter-finals in South Africa, narrowly losing to eventual champions Spain.

Ecuador, for their part, had already sealed qualification, ensuring another World Cup appearance for a team that continues to grow in stature on the international stage. Known for producing dynamic, physically strong players, Ecuador will arrive at the 2026 tournament with ambitions of surpassing their 2006 performance in Germany, when they reached the Round of 16.

In summary, it was a decisive evening for South American football. Colombia celebrated the return of their stars, Uruguay once again showed the grit and style that define their footballing identity under Bielsa, and Paraguay marked their comeback to the world stage after more than a decade’s absence. With Ecuador already qualified, the continent has now secured multiple strong representatives for a World Cup that promises to be historic, not only for its expanded format but also for its unique hosting across three countries.