By Louis Smith.
Just 52 days after the conclusion of the 2024 Copa America, which saw Argentina lift their third international trophy on the spin, the South American national teams do battle once again as the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers resume.
We take a dive into each of the ten CONMEBOL squads.
Argentina
One of the main absentees from the Argentina squad is captain Lionel Messi, who missed the international fixtures due to an ankle injury picked up during the 2024 Copa America final.
The squad does include three debutants in Ezequiel Fernández, Valentín Castellanos and Giuliano Simeone.
La Albiceleste have made a solid start to their World Cup defence, winning five of their six matches as they sit top of the league by two points.
Argentina Squad
Goalkeepers:
Emiliano Martínez, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Walter Benítez
Defenders:
Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Acuña, Nahuel Molina, Germán Pezzella, Cristian Romero, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Valentín Barco
Midfielders:
Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Giovani Lo Celso, Alexis Mac Allister, Guido Rodríguez, Enzo Fernández, Ezequiel Fernández
Forwards:
Lautaro Martínez, Nicolás González, Paulo Dybala, Julián Álvarez, Alejandro Garnacho, Valentín Carboni, Valentín Castellanos, Giuliano Simeone, Matías Soulé
Bolivia
Following a disappointing Copa America campaign Brazilian coach Antônio Carlos Zago was sacked from his role and has been replaced by Óscar Villegas who has a rich history of managing in Bolivian football. In 2019, he was assistant manager of the national team.
His squad sees six potential debutants in Bruno Poveda, Luis Paz, Marcelo Torrez, Daniel Camacho, Gabriel Montaño and Moisés Paniagua.
Paniagua worked with Villegas at Always Ready and is the youngest player in the squad aged just 17.
Bolivia sit second from bottom in the league standings after a difficult start to their World Cup Qualification campaign. They will be looking forward to having a fresh slate under new management.
Bolivia Squad
Goalkeepers:
Carlos Lampe, Guillermo Viscarra, Bruno Poveda
Defenders:
José Sagredo, Roberto Fernández, Luis Haquín, Diego Medina, Héctor Cuéllar, Marcelo Suárez, Yomar Rocha, Pablo Vaca, Luis Paz, Marcelo Torrez
Midfielders:
Ramiro Vaca, Henry Vaca, Gabriel Villamil, Boris Céspedes, Miguel Terceros, Jeyson Chura, Adalid Terrazas, Robson Tomé, Daniel Camacho, Gabriel Montaño
Forwards:
Carmelo Algarañaz, Lucas Chávez, Enzo Monteiro, Moisés Paniagua
Brazil
Brazil have won just two of their six games in World Cup qualifiers and by Brazil’s standards, it is far from good enough.
Dorival Júnior took over in January and in the eight games he has managed, he has won three, drawing five, which includes a penalty shootout loss to Uruguay in the Copa America last 16.
Three uncapped domestic-based players have been called up having shone in the Brasleirao; William, Estêvão and Luiz Henrique.
Watch out for 17-year-old Estêvão who is the next star to come out of Brazil having showcased wonderful talent for Palmeiras since breaking into the first team last year.
André returns after missing the Copa America due to injury.
Brazil Squad
Goalkeepers:
Alisson Becker, Ederson, Bento
Defenders:
Marquinhos, Danilo, Éder Militão, Guilherme Arana, Gabriel Magalhães, Wendell, Lucas Beraldo, William
Midfielders:
Lucas Paquetá, Bruno Guimarães, João Gomes, André, Gerson
Forwards:
Lucas Moura, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Endrick, Pedro, Estêvão Willian, Luiz Henrique
Chile
Swansea City’s Lawrence Vigouroux and Gonzalo Tapia could make their debuts here.
They are set to begin life without the retired Claudio Bravo.
Darío Osorio is the youngest player in the squad aged 20. The forward is enjoy a successful campaign with Danish side Midtjylland.
The squad features seven domestic-based players.
La Roja failed to win a game at the Copa America as they crashed out at the group stage. They currently sit eighth in the standings and will be hoping for an improvement in performance.
Chile Squad
Goalkeepers:
Gabriel Arias, Brayan Cortés, Lawrence Vigouroux
Defenders:
Mauricio Isla, Eugenio Mena, Guillermo Maripán, Paulo Díaz, Gabriel Suazo, Benjamín Kuscevic, Matías Catalán, Felipe Loyola, Thomas Galdames
Midfielders:
Erick Pulgar, Marcelino Núñez, Claudio Baeza, Rodrigo Echeverría, Esteban Pavez, Darío Osorio, Carlos Palacios, Williams Alarcón, Vicente Pizarro
Forwards:
Eduardo Vargas, Ben Brereton Díaz, Jean Meneses, Víctor Dávila, Gonzalo Tapia
Colombia
One of the most fluid and exciting sides to watch in the Copa America will be hoping to bounce back from their heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the final, ending their 28-game unbeaten run.
There are four potential debutants in the squad in; Kevin Mier, Juan David Cabal, Jhon Solís and Juan Portilla.
Álvaro Montero is the only domestic-based player in the 26-man squad.
Six Premier League players make up the squad, including Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, who joins up with the national team having scored a brace in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory at Old Trafford over Manchester United.
James Rodriguez’s wonderful Copa America earned him a move to Spanish side Rayo Vallecano – he will be thrilled to be back with Los Cafeteros.
Colombia sit in third place, after making a solid start to their World Cup Qualification campaign.
Colombia Squad
Goalkeepers:
Camilo Vargas, Álvaro Montero, Kevin Mier
Defenders:
Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Daniel Muñoz, Johan Mojica, Jhon Lucumí, Carlos Cuesta, Cristian Borja, Yerson Mosquera, Juan David Cabal
Midfielders:
James Rodríguez, Jefferson Lerma, Juan Fernando Quintero, Jhon Arias, Kevin Castaño, Richard Ríos, Yáser Asprilla, Jhon Solís, Juan Portilla
Forwards:
Luis Díaz, Rafael Santos Borré, Luis Sinisterra, Jhon Córdoba, Jhon Durán, Juan Camilo Hernández
Ecuador
Ecuadorian hearts were broken in the quarter-finals of the Copa America as they suffered a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of eventual winners Argentina.
Félix Sánchez returned to Qatar to manage Al Sadd following the Copa America and has been replaced by Argentine, Sebastián Beccacece.
After six matches, they sit in 5th place and have lost just once, overcoming a three points deduction for the use of false birth documents for Byron Castillo in the previous World Cup qualification cycle.
Gilmar Napa, Patrickson Delgado, John Mercado and Anthony Valencia are in line to make their debuts.
The squad includes four domestic-based players.
The exciting teenager Kendry Páez retains his place in the side after impressing in the Copa America
Ecuador Squad
Goalkeepers:
Hernán Galíndez, Moisés Ramírez, Gilmar Napa
Defenders:
Ángelo Preciado, Pervis Estupiñán, Félix Torres, Piero Hincapié, Xavier Arreaga, Willian Pacho, Jackson Porozo, Jhoanner Chávez, Joel Ordóñez
Midfielders:
Carlos Gruezo, Ángel Mena, Moisés Caicedo, Alan Franco, Jhegson Méndez, Jeremy Sarmiento, Kendry Páez, Alan Minda, John Yeboah, Janner Corozo, Pedro Vite, Patrickson Delgado, John Mercado
Forwards:
Enner Valencia, Kevin Rodríguez, Nilson Angulo, Anthony Valencia
Paraguay
Paraguay had a disappointing Copa America tournament, but their Olympic side put in a solid performance showing the talent is there for the future.
The Olympians in Paris; Gatito Fernández, Julio Enciso, Wilder Viera, Daniel Rivas, Fabián Balbuena and Diego Gómez have all been called up.
During the Copa, they suffered three defeats out of three which led to the sacking of Daniel Garnero. They have replaced him with Argentine coach, Gustavo Alfaro who led Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup.
His first squad includes just two domestic-based players in Viera and Rivas, they could make their senior debuts here along with Isidro Pitta and Hugo Cuenca.
Nottingham Forrest’s new boy, Ramón Sosa is one of three England base players.
Paraguay sit in the playoff places at the moment but having won only one of their six matches, they’ll be desperate for an improvement.
Paraguay Squad
Goalkeepers:
Roberto Júnior Fernández, Carlos Coronel, Juan Espínola
Defenders:
Gustavo Gómez, Júnior Alonso, Fabián Balbuena, Santiago Arzamendia, Omar Alderete, Blas Riveros, Gustavo Velázquez, Juan Cáceres, Mateo Gamarra, Daniel Rivas
Midfielders:
Miguel Almirón, Mathías Villasanti, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Andrés Cubas, Ramón Sosa, Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, Hugo Cuenca, Wilder Viera
Forwards:
Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso, Adam Bareiro, Alex Arce, Isidro Pitta
Peru
Peru sit rock bottom of qualification and must improve on performances.
After four unbeaten matches in friendlies, when it came to the real deal Copa America, Peru failed without winning a game or scoring a goal.
Despite their poor showings, Jorge Fossati, remains in charge.
His squad includes eleven domestic-based players, of the eleven, four are uncapped players in Jean Pierre Archimbaud, Maxloren Castro, Diego Romero and Jorge Murrugarra.
16-year-old Castro has earned his place in the side following impressive performances with Sporting Cristal.
Peru Squad
Goalkeepers:
Pedro Gallese, Carlos Cáceda, Diego Romero
Defenders:
Luis Advíncula, Carlos Zambrano, Miguel Trauco, Aldo Corzo, Alexander Callens, Luis Abram, Marcos López, Miguel Araujo, Anderson Santamaría, Oliver Sonne, Renzo Garcés
Midfielders:
Renato Tapia, Wilder Cartagena, Sergio Peña, Jesús Castillo, Piero Quispe, Jean Pierre Archimbaud, Jorge Murrugarra
Forwards:
Edison Flores, Andy Polo, Gianluca Lapadula, Yordy Reyna, Alex Valera, Bryan Reyna, Santiago Ormeño, Joao Grimaldo, Maxloren Castro
Uruguay
Before we cover Uruguay, WFI sends condolences following the death of Uruguayan footballer, Juan Izquierdo who suffered a cardiac arrhythmia during the second half of the match against São Paulo FC in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores last month.
Izquierdo helped Nacional and Liverpool Montevideo to silverware back in 2022 and 2023.
The riot that broke out during the 2024 Copa America has led to bans for several Uruguay players; Darwin Núñez will be out for five Uruguay fixtures, Rodrigo Bentancur was banned for four matches, Mathías Olivera, Ronald Araújo and José Maria Giménez will miss three games.
Uruguay enjoyed a decent Copa America, finishing third place, following a narrow loss to Colombia in the Quarter finals.
Marcelo Bielsa’s squad features three potential debutants in Agustín Sant’Anna, Tiago Palacios and Miguel Merentiel.
There’s also no domestic-based players within the squad.
Luis Suarez will retire from International football after the match against Paraguay.
Uruguay Squad
Goalkeeper:
Sergio Rochet, Santiago Mele, Franco Israel
Defender:
Sebastián Cáceres, Guillermo Varela, Lucas Olaza, Marcelo Saracchi, Santiago Bueno, José Luis Rodríguez, Nicolás Marichal, Agustín Sant’Anna
Midfielder:
Federico Valverde, Nahitan Nández, Manuel Ugarte, Maximiliano Araújo, Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Fonseca, Tiago Palacios
Forward:
Luis Suárez, Facundo Pellistri, Brian Rodríguez, Facundo Torres, Cristian Olivera, Luciano Rodríguez, Miguel Merentiel
Venezuela
Venezuela had a great Copa America and one where they looked very promising, until their Quarter-Final penalty shootout exit at the hands of Canada. It’s something that the side can certainly build on.
They sit in fifth place and will be hoping to carry on their good form as they seek World Cup qualification for the first time in their history.
La Vinotinto have called up a huge squad, due to having a training camp for the youth sides at the same time to be integrated.
13 players are uncapped.
Veteran striker, Salomón Rondón, who scored three times in the Copa America has been called up as expected.
The only domestic-based player to be called up is Carlos Vivas.
Venezuela Squad
Goalkeeper:
Rafael Romo, Alain Baroja, Joel Graterol, José Contreras
Defender:
Alexander González, Yordan Osorio, Nahuel Ferraresi, Miguel Navarro, Christian Makoun, Jon Aramburu, Carlos Vivas, Delvin Alfonzo, Luis Balbo, Alessandro Milani, Yiandro Raap, Rubén Ramírez, Bianneider Tamayo
Midfielder:
Tomás Rincón, Darwin Machís, Jhon Murillo, Yeferson Soteldo, Jefferson Savarino, José Martínez, Cristian Cásseres, Eduard Bello, Daniel Pereira, Telasco Segovia, Kervin Andrade, Matías Lacava, David Martínez, Jesús Bueno, Bryant Ortega, Nicola Profeta, Daniele Quieto, Leenhan Romero, Giovanny Sequera
Forward:
Salomón Rondón, Jhonder Cádiz, Eric Ramírez, Lorenzo D’Agostini
Match Seven Fixtures
Bolivia vs. Venezuela | Kick-off — 21:00 (GMT) 05/09/2024
Argentina vs Chile| Kick-off — 01:00 (GMT) 06/09/2024
Uruguay vs Paraguay | Kick-off — 00:30 (GMT) 07/09/2024
Brazil vs Ecuador| Kick-off — 02:00 (GMT) 07/09/2024
Peru vs. Colombia | Kick-off — 02:30 (GMT) 07/09/2024
Match Eight Fixtures
Colombia vs Argentina | Kick-off — 21:30 (GMT) 10/09/2024
Chile vs Bolivia| Kick-off — 22:00 (GMT) 10/09/2024
Ecuador vs. Peru| Kick-off — 22:00 (GMT) 10/09/2024
Venezuela vs Uruguay | Kick-off — 23:30 (GMT) 10/09/2024
Paraguay vs Brazil | Kick-off — 01:30 (GMT) 11/09/2024