Brazil hosts Chile in World Cup qualifiers.

Veteran Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa is one step away from leading his third national team to the FIFA World Cup finals, as Uruguay needs just one point from their match against Peru in the seventeenth round of the South American qualifiers (CONMEBOL).

Paraguay also needs one point from their home match against Ecuador to secure qualification, while Colombia must win against Bolivia to join them.

Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador have already secured their places in the finals scheduled for summer 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

At the famous Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, which holds sixty thousand spectators, Uruguay needs a draw against Peru to guarantee their spot in the finals under Bielsa’s leadership (70 years old).

Bielsa previously led his home country Argentina to the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan but was surprisingly eliminated in the group stage. He then coached Chile in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, exiting in the round of 16 after a 0-3 loss to Brazil.

Recently, Bielsa said, “If I were to judge my management (of the team), I would say we could have done better,” after his team scored only 19 goals in 16 matches despite his known offensive style.

History favors Uruguay, world champions in 1930 and 1950, who are aiming to qualify for the fifth consecutive time, as they have not lost at home to Peru for 21 years.

Uruguay will miss Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde and new Al Hilal striker Darwin Núñez.

Paraguay needs one point at home against Ecuador to return to the finals for the first time since 2010.

In Barranquilla, Colombia needs a win or possibly a draw if other results go their way when hosting Bolivia, whom they have not lost to at home in 31 years.

Colombia relies on a star-studded lineup including Bayern Munich winger Luis Díaz, veteran playmaker James Rodríguez, and John Durán, on loan from Saudi club Al Nassr to Turkish club Fenerbahçe, to secure qualification.

Messi’s Farewell

Argentine star Lionel Messi (38 years old) will play his last official home match in the qualifiers when Argentina hosts Venezuela, the only South American country that has never participated in the World Cup finals, though he did not rule out playing friendly matches in the future.

Although Messi has not confirmed participation in the next World Cup, all signs point to his involvement to end his international career at the biggest football event.

Messi said, “This match will be special for me.”

At the famous Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil meets Chile, who have lost hope of qualifying.

Brazil will be without Real Madrid forwards Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, as well as Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha, who is injured.

Opportunities will arise for forwards Richarlison, João Pedro, and winger Éverton Ribeiro to score and boost their chances of becoming regular starters.

The Brazilian team, which has never missed the finals since the first edition in Uruguay in 1930, is led by veteran Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who took over at the end of the qualifiers in late May.

Six teams qualify directly from the CONMEBOL region, while the seventh-placed team enters the intercontinental playoff, out of 10 teams competing in the qualifiers.