World Cup defending champion, Argentina becomes the first South American team to qualify for the tournament next year in United States, Canada and Mexico
Lionel Messi and the team won their third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022, they secured their place at the 2026 event before beating Brazil 4-1 on Tuesday after Bolívia failed to beat Uruguay in an earlier game.
“It was a historic result, winning by 4-1, and that makes us really proud, I’m so happy for the fans, for helping the team and to see how we played an impressive game at home. It’s great to know that we are qualified for the World Cup,” Atletico Madrid forward, Julián Álvarez said.
This the first time Argentina we won both matches against arch rivals Brazil in a World Cup qualifying tournament. The home victory was also Argentina’s first win against the Brazilians since qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.
The top six teams in South America will automatically qualify for the first-ever 48-team World Cup, with the seventh-placed team entering an intercontinental playoff. Argentina who tops the standings was assured as one of the six spots.
“Congratulations, Argentina, on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup,” president of South American soccer’s governing body CONMEBOL Alejandro Dominguez wrote on his X account.
“Let’s defend the crown and make the continent proud!”
Backed by Lionel Messi, Argentina (31 points) has led South American qualifying from the start, with few hiccups and major away wins at Brazil and Uruguay.
It remains to be seen if 2022 star player, Lionel Messi who scored twice in Argentina’s win over France in the 2022 final, will feature for his country at a record sixth World Cup in 2026.
The former Barcelona and PSG star has not ruled out the possibility but has insisted it is not his focus and hinted that the end of his career is near.
Argentina captain, Lionel Messi who has a contract with Inter Miami until the end of 2025, sustained a minor injury and was not included in Argentina’s squad
Argentina has joins Japan, New Zealand and Iran as the first qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, alongside the three host nations in United States, Canada and Mexico
