Brazil and Ecuador secured their spots at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, taking the second and third of South America's six automatic qualifying berths after champions Argentina booked their ticket in March.

Breaking down the big plotlines from qualifying for next year's tournament, including some big names who could be struggling to get there

Venezuela beat Bolivia 2-0 to increase its advantage in seventh place in South American World Cup qualifying and a potential spot in an intercontinental playoff.

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) -Uruguay took a step closer to securing a 2026 World Cup spot with a 2-0 home victory over Venezuela at the Estadio Centenario on Tuesday, a victory which also snapped a four-match winless run in South American qualifiers.

The draw did not knock Argentina from the top spot in the 2026 World Cup qualifying standings in Latin America.

There will be three more qualifying periods this year — in September, October, and November — jammed into a crowded calendar that already has obliterated the offseason.