2026 World Cup: CONMEBOL unanimous in defense of its 18-match qualification format

The CONMEBOL Council, which met in Santiago (CHI), unanimously decided to ask FIFA to ensure that the 2026 World Cup qualifiers retain their current format, i.e. a two-legged championship with 18 matches for each of the 10 teams (see below), according to the South American Football Confederation on 22/08/2022.

This system with 18 matches for all, which FIFA seems to be questioning (see below), has been in place since 1996. The unanimous vote by the South Americans dispels rumours that Argentina and Brazil would have liked a new format to alleviate the fatigue of their internationals, most of whom play in Europe.

For the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador and Uruguay have qualified directly. Peru, fifth in the final ranking, were eliminated in an intercontinental play-off versus Australia (AFC), 0-0, 5-4 on penalties, in Doha (QAT) on 13/06/2022.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first with 48 teams (instead of 32). The number of South American qualifiers will also increase from 4 or 5 to 6 or 7 (see below).