SOUTH AMERICA · SPORT Six South American sides are heading north for the first 48-team World Cup. Here is a one-stop guide to who they are, where they sit, and the players to watch as the group stage unfolds. How South America lines up at the World Cup The South American confederation sent six nations directly to the finals, the maximum from its qualifying group. The 2026 edition is the largest ever, with 48 teams in 12 groups of four; the top two from each
group advance, along with the eight best third-placed sides, to a 32-team knockout round. Matches are spread across 16 stadiums in three countries, from June 11 to the July 19 final. For the region, the draw was a mixed bag: some sides landed in reachable groups, others drew European heavyweights in their opening match. Below, each of the six in turn. Brazil and Argentina: the contenders Brazil are in Group C with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland, and open against Morocco on June 13, followed by
Haiti on June 19 and Scotland on June 24. Carlo Ancelotti‘s side chase a sixth world title and a first since 2002; the running storyline is whether an injured Neymar can contribute, with the staff hoping for a return during the group stage. Morocco, semifinalists in 2022, are rated the toughest of the three rivals. Argentina, the reigning champions, headline Group J alongside Austria, Algeria and Jordan, opening against Austria. Lionel Scaloni’s team carry the weight of defending the title won in 2022, and remain
among the clear favorites. The group looks navigable on paper, the kind of draw a champion is expected to top. Colombia, Uruguay and Ecuador: the dark horses Colombia return to the World Cup after missing 2022, drawn in Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and DR Congo, and open against Portugal, a marquee first test. Built around James Rodríguez, the Cafeteros are at their seventh finals and arrive with momentum from qualifying. Uruguay, two-time world champions reaching a fifth straight finals, sit in Group H with
Spain, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, and face Spain first. Ecuador, physically formidable and well organized, land the hardest opener of all, against Germany in Group E, which also contains Ivory Coast and Curaçao. Both will fancy a knockout-round place if they survive their toughest fixtures. Paraguay: the comeback story Paraguay are the region’s feel-good qualifier, back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and reaching their ninth finals overall. They share Group D with hosts the United States, Turkey and Australia,
a balanced group in which the Albirroja will believe a second-place finish is within reach. Their presence, and the absence of Venezuela and Bolivia, frames the South American story: a region sending a deep contingent, but not all of its usual names. Bolivia came closest of those left behind, falling in the scramble for an intercontinental playoff place. What to watch through the group stage The expanded format helps the region’s middle tier: with eight best third-placed teams advancing, a single good result can be
enough to reach the knockouts, which favors sides like Ecuador, Uruguay and Paraguay that may not top their groups. The opening fixtures, several against European elites, will set the tone for how far each can go. For neutral viewers, the South American calendar offers a clear arc through late June: champions Argentina managing expectations, Brazil’s Neymar subplot, Colombia and Uruguay testing themselves against Portugal and Spain, and Paraguay savoring a long-awaited return. Keep this guide handy, the group stage runs to June 26, and the
picture will sharpen fast.
2026 World Cup, South America, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay, Neymar, James Rodríguez, Carlo Ancelotti, Lionel Scaloni