ESPN News Services
Mar 25, 2025, 06:00 PM ET
Argentina will get the chance to defend its World Cup title in 2026 after becoming the first South American team to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.
Argentina, which won its third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022, secured a place at the 2026 event ahead of its clash with Brazil later on Tuesday after Bolívia failed to beat Uruguay in an earlier game.
The top six teams in South America qualify automatically for the first-ever 48-team World Cup, with the seventh-placed team entering an intercontinental playoff. Argentina, which tops the standings, was assured of one of the six spots when seventh-place Bolivia drew 0-0 with Uruguay in El Alto, Bolivia.
Backed by Lionel Messi, Argentina (28 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 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 37-year-old has not ruled out the possibility but has insisted it is not his focus and hinted that the end of his career is near.
Messi, who has a contract with Inter Miami through the end of 2025, has an injury to his adductor and was not included in Argentina's squad for this round of matches.
Argentina joins Japan, New Zealand and Iran as the first qualifiers for the next World Cup, alongside the three host nations.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
