South America, known for its deep passion for soccer and its history of producing world-class football talent, offers a unique and tumultuous path to the FIFA World Cup. The South American qualifiers are some of the most fiercely contested and exciting matches on the global stage. These qualifiers not only serve as a battleground for securing a spot in the World Cup but also as a stage for showcasing the footballing prowess and spirit of the continent.
Conmebol’s Structure and Format
The South American World Cup qualifiers, governed by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), follow a round-robin format that is both rigorous and demanding. Unlike other continents where teams might be grouped, CONMEBOL pits all its member nations against each other in a single league format. This means every team plays home and away matches against the other nine teams.
The competition spans over several years, and each team plays a total of 18 matches. Points are awarded in the standard format: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and none for a loss. The top teams in the table at the end of the qualification campaign secure their place in the World Cup, while the team finishing fifth typically gets a chance to qualify through an intercontinental