Ecuador and Argentina Secure World Cup 2026 Spots in Final Qualifying Showdown

Final Qualifying Battle

Argentina’s recent 1-0 defeat to Ecuador, playing without Lionel Messi, marked the end of the South American World Cup qualifiers and the final official match of 2025 for Lionel Scaloni’s team. This match proved significant in the qualifying campaign landscape.

Qualification Success

Argentina secured their qualification first, befitting their status as reigning World Cup champions. The team has maintained its impressive form, with Lionel Messi continuing to contribute crucial goals, even while managing his minutes under coach Lionel Scaloni’s guidance.

Ecuador has also secured their World Cup spot, despite facing a three-point deduction earlier in the campaign. The qualification picture has become clearer with Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay and Colombia also securing their places. The final playoff spot remains contested between Venezuela and Bolivia, with Venezuela holding a slight advantage going into the final matchday.

Future Implications

The expanded format for the 2026 World Cup means that the top six teams from South America will automatically qualify, with the seventh-placed team entering an intercontinental playoff tournament for an additional chance at qualification.

Looking ahead, there is growing discussion about Lionel Messi’s future with the national team. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has addressed the uncertainty surrounding Messi’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, indicating that the team captain will take time to make his final decision.

While this particular matchup may not have carried the same weight as previous qualifiers since both teams had already secured their spots, it nevertheless represented an important milestone in both nations’ journeys toward the 2026 World Cup in North America.