We have reached the halfway point of the CONMEBOL qualifying process for the 2026 World Cup, which has not been far from controversy or unexpected moments for all soccer fans.
Argentina has dominated this qualifying process, taking advantage of its good momentum after the victory in Qatar 2022. However, Lionel Scaloni's team will arrive with some absentees to this FIFA date and with a defeat behind them, which will force Lionel Messi and company to try to solve these games in the best possible way in order to increase their lead at the top of the standings.
The fight for second place centers on two teams: Colombia and Uruguay. Only one point separates these two South American teams, although Colombia's moment is more meritorious for being undefeated at this stage of the qualifiers. In an ideal scenario, neither of these teams should have any problems scoring points on this FIFA date, but some issues -especially off-field problems for Uruguay- could affect the plans and results of these teams.
The fight for the three remaining berths to the tournament to be held in Canada, the United States and Mexico will become much more intense after this matchday, as there is only a two-point difference between the fourth-placed team (Ecuador) and the eighth-placed team (Bolivia). This has made the South American qualifiers totally unpredictable.
Before going straight to the games of both matchdays, this is the standings after eight matchdays in the Conmebol qualifiers.
Here's how the table of the Qualifiers date 8 is going! #EliminatoriasSudamericanas #Sudamericana #LaBicolor #EliminatoriasCONMEBOL pic.twitter.com/YUw1kzWNwH
- Deporte Libre (@DeporteLibre_) October 7, 2024
Bolivia vs Colombia
The first game of this knockout round will see the Colombian National Team travel to the altitude of La Paz, where Bolivia will try to put an end to a 13-game winless streak against the Cafeteros. Bolivia has not beaten its Colombian counterpart since 2003, but this version of the green-and-white team could well spring a surprise, despite the fact that Colombia has beaten them in their two most recent matches and by the same score (3-0).
As far as the line for this match is concerned, Colombia is favored to win the game at +161, while for Bolivia there is a +184. Those playing for a draw will find the line at +218.
Venezuela vs Argentina
The Vinotinto are serious about playing in their first World Cup, but their next opponent will have a lot to say against that dream. Venezuela will try to make history against the reigning world champions, whom they have only beaten once in official play. Should they succeed, the Venezuelans would overtake Brazil in the standings on their way to the World Cup, even if only for a few hours. Meanwhile, the Albiceleste will be without some of the players who won in Qatar, including "Dibu" Martínez and Paulo Dybala, who were suspended and injured, respectively.
Despite being home, Venezuela is an underdog in this game at +613, while Argentina is a heavy favorite at -199. The draw in this game is at +312, for those who believe that Messi and company will drop points in Maturin, but without losing the game.
Ecuador vs Paraguay
La Tricolor is facing a game that could be complicated for several reasons, starting with the fact that they are currently in fourth place in the table, but a loss combined with positive results from those below them could send them down to eighth place in the qualifiers. That is why both the fans and the team are hoping that Sebastián Beccacece can achieve his first victory with the Ecuadorian team in his third game as coach. On the other hand, La Albirroja have experienced positive sensations with Gustavo Alfaro as their new coach, as the Guaraníes have not lost with him at the helm and managed to beat Brazil on the previous FIFA day.
This game could be interesting to bet on, as the line gives Ecuador as a favorite with -178, especially due to its undefeated record against the Albirroja in its five most recent home games. Meanwhile, Paraguay comes in with a +680 in the odds, which indicates that it would be a big surprise to see them come away with the three points despite the good moment they experienced in September.
Chile vs Brazil
This game features two teams in trouble. On the one hand, Chile needs a win to at least aspire to re-qualification, while Brazil needs the three points to gain some credibility in the qualifiers, where they are in fifth place. Brazil has manhandled Chile in their most recent games, as the Verdeamarelha have won the last four, scoring nine goals and conceding no goals to the slumping Chilean side.
With this background, it should come as no surprise to know that Brazil comes out as favorite with -162, while the line marks the draw as the second best option with +285. Meanwhile, Chile will be looking to do the honors in front of their fans and honor those who bet in their favor, despite the +480 with which they come to this game.
Peru vs Uruguay
The only game to be held on Friday has several controversial features, and in at least one case, not because of what was seen on the field. Peru has been a disappointment on the field with only three points, no wins and only two goals scored. On the other side, Uruguay has been effective enough in the qualifiers to reach third place, but statements by Luis Suarez against coach Marcelo Bielsa threaten to break the calm within the team. La Celeste is undefeated in four games against Peru, with two of those games ending in victory for Uruguay and in which they have not failed to score at least one goal.
With this background and considering the current moment of both teams, it is not surprising to see that Uruguay is the favorite in the betting with a -106, while the draw option pays +226. Peru, on the other hand, comes into the game at +320, which gives us an idea of how little chance they have of breaking their win drought in this qualifying round.
2026 World Cup Qualifying Games - Tuesday, October 15
This week's matches will not be the only ones to take place in CONMEBOL, and it is expected that by next Tuesday things will be a little clearer as to which teams still have a real chance of qualifying for the World Cup. Those games, plus their respective lines, will be analyzed in due course. In the meantime, we leave you with the list of matches that will take place on Tuesday, October 15 and that will bring the penultimate FIFA matchday of 2024 to an end.
Colombia vs Chile
Paraguay vs Venezuela
Uruguay vs Ecuador
Argentina vs Bolivia
Brazil vs Peru
