The 2026 World Cup Qualifiers are one of the most anticipated sporting events for football fans throughout South America. This tournament determines which national teams will represent the region at the next FIFA World Cup 2026 , to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States .
Since its start in September 2023 , the qualifiers have kept the excitement going every day, with intense matches, packed stadiums and teams fighting point by point for their qualification.
The keyword “ 2026 World Cup qualifying schedule ” is one of the most searched by fans who want to know the dates, times, results and standings .
In this article you will find all the detailed and up-to-date information about the schedule, the participating teams, the matches of the Colombian National Team and the key dates leading up to the big World Cup.
How the 2026 South American Qualifiers Work
The format of the CONMEBOL Qualifiers remains the same as in previous editions: a round-robin system, where the 10 national teams play each other home and away matches, totaling 18 matchdays .
Each win awards 3 points , a draw 1 point , and a loss 0 points .
The top six teams qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
The seventh place will obtain a spot in the intercontinental repechage .
Thanks to the new 48-team World Cup format, South America will have more available spots , making the dream of qualifying more accessible, but equally competitive.
Teams competing in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
The teams participating in the South American qualifiers are:
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇨🇱 Chile
🇨🇴 Colombia
🇪🇨 Ecuador
🇵🇾 Paraguay
🇵🇪 Peru
🇺🇾 Uruguay
🇻🇪 Venezuela
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Each one represents a different story and passion, but they all share the same goal: to reach the 2026 World Cup.
Official schedule for the 2026 South American Qualifiers
The schedule was established by FIFA and CONMEBOL , with double matchdays throughout two years of competition.
| FIFA Dates | Conferences | Month/Year |
|---|---|---|
| September 7–12, 2023 | 1 and 2 | Tournament begins |
| October 12–17, 2023 | 3 and 4 | First double session |
| November 16–21, 2023 | 5 and 6 | Last matches of the year |
| September 5–10, 2024 | 7 and 8 | I'm back after the Copa América |
| October 10–15, 2024 | 9 and 10 | Halfway there |
| November 14–19, 2024 | 11 and 12 | Competitive year-end |
| March 20–25, 2025 | 13 and 14 | Decisive stage |
| June 5–10, 2025 | 15 and 16 | Definition of classifieds |
| September 4–9, 2025 | 17 and 18 | End of the qualifiers |
Source: fifa.com , conmebol.com .
Colombia National Team Match Schedule
The Colombian national team began its journey to the 2026 World Cup on September 7, 2023 , at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla, with a victory against Venezuela. Since then, it has shown strength and a competitive style of play.
Colombia matches (first leg)
Colombia vs Venezuela – Barranquilla
Chile vs Colombia – Santiago
Colombia vs Uruguay – Barranquilla
Ecuador vs Colombia – Quito
Colombia vs Brazil – Barranquilla
Paraguay vs Colombia – Asunción
Peru vs Colombia – Lima
Colombia vs Argentina – Barranquilla
Bolivia vs Colombia – La Paz
Second leg matches
Chile vs Colombia
Colombia vs Ecuador
Uruguay vs Colombia
Colombia vs Peru
Brazil vs Colombia
Colombia vs Paraguay
Argentina vs Colombia
Colombia vs Bolivia
Venezuela vs Colombia
The complete schedule with times and results is available in the sports section of the CalendarioDeColombia.com portal.
2026 Qualifying Standings
At the end of 2025, the top positions are led by Argentina, Uruguay and Colombia , who have demonstrated great consistency.
| Position | Selection | Points | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 35 | +20 |
| 2 | Uruguay | 32 | +15 |
| 3 | Colombia | 29 | +10 |
| 4 | Brazil | 27 | +8 |
| 5 | Ecuador | 25 | +6 |
| 6 | Chili | 23 | +4 |
| 7 | Paraguay | 21 | +1 |
| 8 | Peru | 16 | -5 |
| 9 | Venezuela | 12 | -10 |
| 10 | Bolivia | 10 | -15 |
(Reference update based on CONMEBOL 2025 statistics).
Key dates in the qualifying process
Start: September 7, 2023
Closing date: September 9, 2025
Total days: 18
Teams directly qualified: 6
Repechage slot: 1
World Cup venues: Canada, Mexico and the United States
What changes in this new World Cup
The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams , which changed the structure of the tournament and allowed South America to increase its number of slots.
This new format implies:
Groups of 3 or 4 teams , depending on the final confirmed format.
More matches and more opportunities for emerging countries.
Greater economic, television and tourism impact.
For the Colombian National Team , the challenge is not only to qualify, but also to consolidate a generation that combines youth, talent and experience.
How to watch the World Cup Qualifying matches in Colombia
The South American World Cup Qualifying matches can be watched on:
Caracol Television
RCN Television
Official streaming platforms such as Caracol Play and RCN+
You can also check the updated dates and times directly on the official blog CalendarioDeColombia.com , where sports calendars, holidays and important events in the country are published.
Impact of the World Cup Qualifiers on Colombian Culture
Each qualifying match is celebrated like a national holiday. In the streets, bars, offices, and schools, the entire country comes to a standstill to watch the national team play.
Barranquilla is consolidating itself as the epicenter of national football.
The matches generate growth in sectors such as tourism, gastronomy and entertainment.
The atmosphere of unity reinforces the identity and pride for the tricolor jersey.
Football, once again, proves to be a universal language that unites Colombians.