The reputation of South American countries at the FIFA World Cup is built on more than just flair, but the continent’s sustained excellence at the topmost competition in football.
Consistently, teams from the continent have arrived at the tournament not just to mark attendance but also to compete.
With 10 World Cup titles distributed among Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, and as the defending continent, South American countries are among the favourites to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting on June 11.
Thanks to the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, South America is guaranteed six slots at the tournament set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay are the continent’s representatives in North America.
While the chances of some of the teams at the tournament are considered slim, others are expected to advance past the group stage and even possibly compete for the trophy in North America.
Argentina
After winning the last World Cup edition following a penalty shootout victory over France in Qatar four years ago, many fans are confident that Lionel Messi and his Argentine team still have the talent to push to retain the title.
They can become the third nation to win the competition back-to-back after Italy and Brazil. Argentina are still one of the best teams in the world, and, as well as being the reigning South American champions, they are expected not only to go beyond the first round but also to compete for football’s biggest prize.
Argentina has won the World Cup three times, with the first in 1978 and the second in 1986. The Argentines had to wait another 36 years before they lifted the trophy for the third time. They have also finished as World Cup runners-up thrice — the last time was in 2014 when the team lost 1-0 to Germany.
Brazil
With five World Cup titles, the most for any team in history, Brazil will always be in the conversation regarding the possibility of the team emerging as winners whenever the World Cup comes around.
Brazil has not won the tournament since 2002, so the Selection will be hoping to return to winning ways at this edition.
With veteran Carlo Ancelotti as their head coach and in-form players such as Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Matheus Cunha expected to be at the World Cup, they will undoubtedly rub shoulders with the best.
Brazil’s recent record at the tournament includes quarter-final finishes in 2006, 2010, 2018, and 2022. The country finished fourth when it hosted the competition in 2014.
Uruguay
Alongside Brazil and Argentina, they are the three South American nations with World Cup silverware. Uruguay was the winner of the first-ever edition of the tournament hosted by the country in 1930, before another triumph two decades later in 1950.
However, Uruguay has suffered mixed fortunes at the tournament. Despite recent World Cup failures, the country still has a history of advancing past the group stage at the tournament.
Uruguay is drawn in Group H of the World Cup alongside Spain, Saudi Arabia and debutant Cape Verde, an easy group that the Sky Blue should be able to qualify from to the next round.
Since 2002, Uruguay has progressed from the group stage three times, including a fourth-place finish in 2010, a round of 16 in 2014, and the quarter-finals in 2018.
Colombia
Unlike Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, Colombia do not have a gloomy history at the World Cup. Colombia has only participated in the tournament five times, reaching at least the knockout phase in three of those occasions.
The Los Cafeteros famously won the hearts of many football fans when the team reached the quarterfinals at the 2014 World Cup, with James Rodriguez unexpectedly winning the Golden Boot after scoring six goals. It is Colombia’s highest finish at the World Cup to date.
Colombia are in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and DR Congo. They have a chance of qualifying from the group alongside Portugal.
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