South American heavyweights suffer humiliation during World Cup qualification rounds
At the upcoming 2026 World Cup, 48 nations will compete. However, despite the addition of 16 new slots, a football powerhouse faces potential elimination. Brazil is currently in a precarious position. Following their latest defeat, their World Cup participation is under threat. Even the title holders, Argentina, are struggling.
Unfortunate day for South America's football titans: While Argentina, the World Cup winners, suffered a 1-2 (0-1) loss in Colombia during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers without Lionel Messi, Brazil suffered their fourth defeat in the eighth qualifying match with a 0-1 (0-1) loss in Paraguay and must continue to worry about securing one of the six direct tickets to the final round in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Approaching two months after the 0-1 loss in extra time in the chaotic Copa América final, Colombia avenged their defeat against South America champion Argentina. In temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and 80% humidity, James Rodriguez, the former Bayern Munich player, sealed the heated game in Barranquilla with a penalty kick awarded after a video review (60.).
The 33-year-old, who moved to Rayo Vallecano of the Spanish first division after his impressive performance at the Copa América, also set up the opening goal by Yerson Mosquera (25.) and inadvertently contributed to the temporary equalizer of the Argentinians, who were missing their injured captain Messi. The Cafeteros, the only unbeaten team, narrowed the gap to the Argentine leaders (18 points) to 16 points.
Brazil continues to be stationary in the tenth match under national coach Dorival Junior, who took charge in January. Despite controlling over 70% of the possession, the Seleção, featuring superstar Vinicius Junior, could only create three scoring opportunities. Paraguay, on the other hand, capitalized on their first chance when Diego Gomez scored a beautiful goal with the outside of his foot from the edge of the penalty area in the 20th minute. The Albirrojas (nine points) moved up to seventh place, just one point behind the five-time World Cup winners who have never missed a World Cup final.
In other matches, third-placed Uruguay drew for the second consecutive time against sixth-placed Venezuela. Ecuador surpassed Brazil once again with a 1-0 (0-0) victory over bottom-ranked, winless Peru. Just like Paraguay, Bolivia also closed in on the six direct World Cup spots with a 2-1 (2-1) victory in Chile.
Despite Brazil's dominance in possession, they struggled to convert opportunities, leading to a 0-1 loss against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier. This loss put their World Cup participation in jeopardy, as they now need to secure one of the six direct tickets to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Meanwhile, South America's football giants, including Brazil, are finding it challenging in their quest for World Cup spots, with even the title holders, Argentina, suffering defeats.
