World Cup 2026

[Sanguine]

It's even more ridiculous in 2030, where, 'to commemorate 100 years of the FIFA World Cup', Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay qualify automatically all for the sake of the first three games of the tournament, which will involves those teams, played in their home stadiums, before the event moves to its hosts, Spain, Portgual and Morocco.

FIFA will surely have to do something with the CONMEBOL qualifying competition.

[Stranded]

It's even more ridiculous in 2030, where, 'to commemorate 100 years of the FIFA World Cup', Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay qualify automatically all for the sake of the first three games of the tournament, which will involves those teams, played in their home stadiums, before the event moves to its hosts, Spain, Portgual and Morocco.

FIFA will surely have to do something with the CONMEBOL qualifying competition.

They should, but they won't.

If they are sensible they simply switch the number of qualifiers with CONCACAF for the next WC - CONCACAF has 3 automatic qualifiers this time in US, Canada and Mexico - they have 3 qualifying spots and 2 play-off spots.

If swapped would mean the remaining 7 South American sides only 2 would be eliminated after the league stage.

[Sanguine]

It's even more ridiculous in 2030, where, 'to commemorate 100 years of the FIFA World Cup', Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay qualify automatically all for the sake of the first three games of the tournament, which will involves those teams, played in their home stadiums, before the event moves to its hosts, Spain, Portgual and Morocco.

FIFA will surely have to do something with the CONMEBOL qualifying competition.

They should, but they won't.

If they are sensible they simply switch the number of qualifiers with CONCACAF for the next WC - CONCACAF has 3 automatic qualifiers this time in US, Canada and Mexico - they have 3 qualifying spots and 2 play-off spots.

If swapped would mean the remaining 7 South American sides only 2 would be eliminated after the league stage.

Given that a 7-team tournament would be a bit silly - and leave the other three teams without games, I can see them running the usual 10-team qualification event, with those three exempt, and if they have any sense, doing as you suggest and swapping out additional qualifying places with CONACAF. And then we might see the likes of Honduras at the World Cup again.

[Sutekh]

It's even more ridiculous in 2030, where, 'to commemorate 100 years of the FIFA World Cup', Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay qualify automatically all for the sake of the first three games of the tournament, which will involves those teams, played in their home stadiums, before the event moves to its hosts, Spain, Portgual and Morocco.

FIFA will surely have to do something with the CONMEBOL qualifying competition.

They should, but they won't.

If they are sensible they simply switch the number of qualifiers with CONCACAF for the next WC - CONCACAF has 3 automatic qualifiers this time in US, Canada and Mexico - they have 3 qualifying spots and 2 play-off spots.

If swapped would mean the remaining 7 South American sides only 2 would be eliminated after the league stage.

Given that a 7-team tournament would be a bit silly - and leave the other three teams without games, I can see them running the usual 10-team qualification event, with those three exempt, and if they have any sense, doing as you suggest and swapping out additional qualifying places with CONACAF. And then we might see the likes of Honduras at the World Cup again.

The number of qualification places that CONMEBOL receive quite is ludicrous really, no other federation gets any where near the percentage of qualifying places that the South Americans do. IMO they should have their places cut and those places given to other federations.

[Sanguine]

It's a juggling act. Only Bolivia (83) and Venezuela (57) are ranked outside the top 50 by FIFA, so it is a 'high quality' confederation. And the flip side of fewer places, given that broadly Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay will always get there, is that CONMEBOL qualification just becomes the other sides going for one or two spots.

But agree that seven feels one or two too many.

Will be good to see more African teams involved in 2026 - number of qualifiers up to nine in the new format. Hopefully one or two 'new' ones in there. Sudan currently going very well, albeit it is early stages. They were ranked 131 at the start of qualifying but top their group at the halfway stage. And Rwanda (139) beat South Africa to top their group after four games. Comoros going well too, they have beaten Ghana.

Tough to qualify still though, only group winners go to the finals.

[Stranded]

They should, but they won't.

If they are sensible they simply switch the number of qualifiers with CONCACAF for the next WC - CONCACAF has 3 automatic qualifiers this time in US, Canada and Mexico - they have 3 qualifying spots and 2 play-off spots.

If swapped would mean the remaining 7 South American sides only 2 would be eliminated after the league stage.

Given that a 7-team tournament would be a bit silly - and leave the other three teams without games, I can see them running the usual 10-team qualification event, with those three exempt, and if they have any sense, doing as you suggest and swapping out additional qualifying places with CONACAF. And then we might see the likes of Honduras at the World Cup again.

The number of qualification places that CONMEBOL receive quite is ludicrous really, no other federation gets any where near the percentage of qualifying places that the South Americans do. IMO they should have their places cut and those places given to other federations.

Still makes more sense then the Rugby World Cup qualifying.

Example for you - next years Pacific Nations Cup doubles up as a World Cup Qualifying tournament - however, Japan, Fiji and Samoa have already qualified - there are 2 spots up for grab - so to qualify, you just have to not finish last.

Even if you finish last - i.e. lose all your games, you go into a play-off round. Lose that and you go in to a repecharge.

[Sutekh]

Given that a 7-team tournament would be a bit silly - and leave the other three teams without games, I can see them running the usual 10-team qualification event, with those three exempt, and if they have any sense, doing as you suggest and swapping out additional qualifying places with CONACAF. And then we might see the likes of Honduras at the World Cup again.

The number of qualification places that CONMEBOL receive quite is ludicrous really, no other federation gets any where near the percentage of qualifying places that the South Americans do. IMO they should have their places cut and those places given to other federations.

Still makes more sense then the Rugby World Cup qualifying.

Example for you - next years Pacific Nations Cup doubles up as a World Cup Qualifying tournament - however, Japan, Fiji and Samoa have already qualified - there are 2 spots up for grab - so to qualify, you just have to not finish last.

Even if you finish last - i.e. lose all your games, you go into a play-off round. Lose that and you go in to a repecharge.

[Stranded]

The number of qualification places that CONMEBOL receive quite is ludicrous really, no other federation gets any where near the percentage of qualifying places that the South Americans do. IMO they should have their places cut and those places given to other federations.

Still makes more sense then the Rugby World Cup qualifying.

Example for you - next years Pacific Nations Cup doubles up as a World Cup Qualifying tournament - however, Japan, Fiji and Samoa have already qualified - there are 2 spots up for grab - so to qualify, you just have to not finish last.

Even if you finish last - i.e. lose all your games, you go into a play-off round. Lose that and you go in to a repecharge.

Exactly its a farce because they are determined that the US and Canada will qualify. Because. Money.