In a milestone for South American soccer, Argentina has made history by securing the first qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining the ranks of the tournament's participants even before their much-anticipated match against Brazil. This extraordinary achievement came after Bolivia's goalless draw with Uruguay, which sealed Argentina's spot among the top six teams in the South American qualifiers.
With a stellar record of 28 points accumulated from 13 matches—boasting 9 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses—Argentina has comfortably led the South American qualifying group. Their current top position ensures they are mathematically secure in the standings, meaning they will not drop from one of the qualifying spots even with four games remaining.
Even before their showdown against their fierce rivals Brazil on Wednesday, March 26, at 1 AM CET, the Argentinian squad could celebrate their World Cup berth. The importance of this achievement cannot be overstated, as it marks Argentina’s 19th appearance at the prestigious tournament. The team, led by Captain Lionel Messi, will be defending their title following their triumph in the 2022 World Cup final where they narrowly defeated France in a thrilling penalty shootout.
The qualification process for the upcoming World Cup has been expanded to include 48 teams for the first time, allowing a total of six teams from South America to qualify directly, a remarkable increase from the four spots available during the previous tournament. Through this change, the Argentine team’s path to qualification was secured much earlier in the competition than in past cycles.
Behind Argentina, the current seventh-placed team is Bolivia, which, despite the draw with Uruguay, now faces a daunting challenge in their bid for advancement as they sit 14 points behind Argentina with only four matches remaining. No other team can surpass Argentina's standing, solidifying their path to the tournament.
Meanwhile, in Asia, Iran has also made headlines by clinching a spot at the World Cup after a thrilling match against Uzbekistan, where the teams ended in a 2-2 standoff. Iran's qualification means they will be making their fourth consecutive appearance at the World Cup, having also participated in the 2014, 2018, and 2022 tournaments.
Iran's performance under Coach Amir Ghalenoei was highlighted by two crucial goals from striker Mehdi Taremi, who found the back of the net in the 52nd and 83rd minutes, pulling Iran back from a goal down. This draw ensured Iran finished the qualifiers as undisputed leaders of their group, having amassed 20 points from eight games without suffering a single defeat.
This triumph adds significance to the Iranian team's journey in the World Cup saga, even as they must now confront another challenge—overcoming their past struggles in the competition, where they have previously been eliminated in the group stages.
The 2026 World Cup is set to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. So far, Japan and New Zealand have also secured their spots, marking a growing competitive landscape as the world gears up for this expansive tournament.
As the World Cup approaches, both Argentina and Iran find themselves on a promising trajectory. Argentina aims to defend its title, while Iran hopes to break past its groups-phase hindrances. Soccer fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting these historic encounters as the perspective of a diverse competition takes shape ahead of next year's grand showcase.
The buzz surrounding the World Cup increases as teams finalize their preparations for the tournament, captivating audiences through the stunning performances and the indomitable spirit of these qualified nations. With Argentina and Iran setting the stage with their impressive campaigns, this year's FIFA World Cup promises to be a thrilling chapter in the sport's history.
