World Cup 2026 qualification hopes brightened for Uruguay as they moved a step closer to booking their place in the tournament with a commanding 2-0 victory over Venezuela on Tuesday. With this crucial win in Montevideo, Marcelo Bielsa’s side solidified their standing in the South American qualifiers, while Chile’s journey officially came to an end after a 2-0 defeat to Bolivia.
Uruguay Strengthen Their Grip on Qualification
Uruguay, the two-time world champions, are now in third place in the South American qualifiers with 24 points from 16 games. This dominant performance at home, powered by goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian De Arrascaeta, kept Uruguay firmly on track for direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
Aguirre, who plays his club football in Mexico, opened the scoring in the 43rd minute by heading in a well-placed corner. Shortly after halftime, Flamengo winger De Arrascaeta doubled the lead with a brilliant solo effort, putting the result beyond doubt and pushing Uruguay even closer to the global stage.
Marcelo Bielsa’s team controlled possession and tempo throughout the match, limiting Venezuela’s chances and maintaining a strong defensive shape. The win highlighted Uruguay’s evolution under Bielsa and their growing credentials as a serious contender in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification race.
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Venezuela, seeking to qualify for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, missed a crucial opportunity to boost their hopes. With the defeat, they remain in seventh place with 18 points from 16 matches, placing them just outside the automatic qualification zone. The top six teams from the South American table qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2026, while the team finishing seventh must go through an intercontinental playoff.
A win in Montevideo could have been a huge morale booster and a significant step toward their dream debut at the world stage. However, the loss to Uruguay leaves them needing strong results in the remaining two matches and favorable outcomes from other games.
Chile Eliminated After Defeat to Bolivia
Meanwhile, Chile’s campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026 came to an abrupt end with a disappointing 2-0 loss against Bolivia. This defeat confirms Chile’s elimination, marking their third consecutive absence from football’s biggest event after missing out on the 2018 and 2022 editions.
The result is another blow to a nation that once dominated the continent with back-to-back Copa América titles in 2015 and 2016. The fall from grace has been steep for ‘La Roja’, as a new generation struggles to match the successes of the golden era led by Alexis Sánchez and Arturo Vidal.
Chile’s lack of attacking spark and vulnerability in defense were exposed once again as Bolivia capitalized on their chances to seal the win and end Chile’s fading hopes for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Other Qualification Scenarios
While Uruguay have moved closer to securing their berth, the qualification picture in South America remains intense. Ecuador can punch their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 later on Tuesday with a draw or win against Peru in Lima. They currently sit second, just behind leaders Argentina, who have already secured qualification.
Elsewhere, Brazil and Paraguay are also in line to qualify depending on the outcome of their clash in São Paulo. Brazil, led by Carlo Ancelotti, can confirm their place in the finals with a victory, while Paraguay would qualify with a draw.
South American Qualifiers: Standings Snapshot
| Position | Team | Played | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 16 | 35 | Qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| 2 | Ecuador | 16 | 25 | Can qualify with win/draw vs Peru |
| 3 | Uruguay | 16 | 25 | Close to qualification |
| 4 | Brazil | 16 | 24 | Can qualify with win vs Paraguay |
| 5 | Paraguay | 16 | 24 | Can qualify with draw vs Brazil |
| 6 | Colombia | 16 | 22 | In qualification spot |
| 7 | Venezuela | 16 | 18 | In playoff spot |
| 8 | Bolivia | 16 | 17 | Still in contention |
| 9 | Peru | 16 | 12 | Must win remaining games |
| 10 | Chile | 16 | 10 | Eliminated from FIFA World Cup 2026 |
With just two matchdays left, the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up in South America. Uruguay’s convincing win over Venezuela has brought them within touching distance of the finals, while Chile’s campaign ends in disappointment for the third time running. The final rounds promise intense battles as multiple teams still have everything to play for.