Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
South American trio book tickets to 2026 World Cup
AP • September 5th, 2025 8:44 pm
Lionel Messi has again starred as world champions Argentina crushed Venezuela | Photo: AP
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay have secured their places at the 2026 World Cup in the next-to-last round of South American qualifiers.
The Uruguayans and Colombians enjoyed 3-0 wins on Thursday (Friday NZ Time), and the Paraguayans had a scoreless draw to advance to the global tournament, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, along with already qualified Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador.
"It's a good way to qualify. The team's offensive play was strong, there were also many highlights in individual performances," Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said.
Peru, who needed wins in the last two rounds to advance, are now out of contention following the loss to Uruguay.
Uruguay players celebrate their comfortable win over Peru in Montevideo | Photo: AP
James Rodriguez opened the scoring for Colombia in the 31st minute while John Cordoba and Juan Fernando Quintero added second-half goals to secure the win over Bolivia.
The Colombians return to the World Cup, their seventh appearance, after missing the 2022 event in Qatar.
"This jersey has given me so much. I'm grateful for everything I'm doing," said James, who is aiming to play in his third World Cup.
"I've always given everything and I'll keep the good things for myself."
World champions Argentina defeated Venezuela 3-0 with two goals by Lionel Messi and remain well clear at the top of the standings.
Captain Messi scored in the 39th and 80th minutes in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at Estadio Monumental to bid him farewell.
"Being able to finish this way here is what I've always dreamed of," Messi said.
"I've experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it's always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans."
Messi is yet to give any clues about when he will retire from the top level of the sport. But the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup will begin in 2027, when he's 40.
The Inter Miami attacker now has 36 goals in South American World Cup qualifiers and remains as the all-time scoring leader.
Also on Thursday (Friday NZ), Estevao, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes scored as Brazil got a 3-0 win over Chile to ascend to second place.
