Football betting tipster
and South American expert Nathan Joyes reflects on the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, provides his thoughts on those heading to the World Cup next summer as well as a serves up a handful of tips.
Read about his
best odds and bets
below.
Argentina: World Champions ready to fight
Having picked up 38 points from 18 matches, Lionel Scaloni's squad came out on top. Sitting nine points clear of Ecuador in 2nd, the reigning World Champions made a difficult, long qualifying campaign look rather easy.
There's no surprise to see that Lionel Messi walked away with the golden boot having scored eight goals as well as providing three assists. The 38-year-old remains a key part of this squad, although the Inter Miami forward has stated his role may be "more limited" in the US next summer as younger players continue to come through.
And Scaloni has started to prep for life without their star man. Messi wasn't present in every match throughout the qualifiers, who watched from the stands as Argentina battered Brazil 4-1 in Buenos Aires.
A new generation are excited about Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono and Atletico Madrid's Thiago Almada who are adopting that famous no.10 role when Messi isn't on the pitch.
Aside from Argentina's ongoing right-back conundrum, this is a squad stacked with talent. It sounds ridiculous, but Scaloni now has options available to him when Messi finally retires - although that doesn't make it any easier.
Since qualifying, Argentina have taken it easy with their opponents. Venezuela, Puerto Rico and now Angola on Friday, the World champions will need more challenging fixtures in 2026 ahead of defending their crown.
Yet
our first football tip
in this column is one to sit on. That's because Argentina are 8/1 to win back-to-back World Cups, and what we learnt from their qualifying campaign is that they are ready to do just that.
Betting Tip: Argentina to win the World Cup at 8/1 –
Spreadex
Ecuador: Dark horses next summer?
La Tri - who started with -3 points after fielding an ineligible player in the previous qualifiers - finished just behind Argentina.
How? A change in manager for starters. Sebastian Beccacece was appointed on 1st August 2024 and after 14 matches he's only tasted defeat once.
His side used their high altitude in Quito to their advantage, picking up 21 points from a possible 27 at home. More impressively, they only conceded two goals in front of their supporters during qualifiers. Argentina lost 1-0 in the final round.
But away from home Ecuador were equally as resilient. They may have only scored three on their travels, but they conceded the same amount in nine matches. Picking up 11 points on the road, only Argentina secured more.
With Piero Hincapie, Willian Pacho, Joel Ordonez - protected by Moises Caicedo - Ecuador have one of the best defensive units on the planet.
Perhaps a forward is lacking - and 36-year-old Enner Valencia can't be relied on forever - but Flamengo's Gonzalo Plata, Strasbourg's Kendry Paez and Union SG's Kevin Rodriguez offer hope.
Colombia: Copa America finalists capable
The qualifiers were up and down for Colombia. After going on a 26 match unbeaten run within 90 minutes across all competitions, that run came to an end in the dizzy heights of El Alto against Bolivia.
And although Colombia bounced back with a 4-0 win vs Chile, Nestor Lorenzo's side then went six games without a win during qualifiers (D3 L3).
They signed off with a 1-1 draw away to Argentina and an emphatic 6-3 win over Venezuela, but this is a nation that blows hot and cold - and let's not forget failed to even qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
But this is a nation that not many European teams would like to face. Football fans will be familiar with Bayern's Luis Diaz, Sporting's Luis Suarez and Leon's James Rodriguez - showcasing how much talent they have in the final third.
They may have scored 28 goals - more than anyone aside from Argentina - but conceding 18 is a concerning statistic.
Still, they face New Zealand in a friendly on US soil on Sunday - a nation they should be comfortably beating - and Lorenzo's side can extend their current unbeaten run comfortably.
Betting Tip: Colombia -1.5 Handicap vs New Zealand at 3/4 –
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Uruguay: Bielsa's side must improve
Despite finishing 4th, Uruguay's post Copa America campaign wasn't much to shout about - and fans are concerned about what they can achieve on the big stage next summer.
Uruguay started strong. Wins to nil against Brazil and Argentina (in their own back yard) saw Bielsa's appointment as an almost immediate success.
Yet after failing to reach the Copa America final - as many had predicted - Uruguay only won three competitive games in 2025. They all came at home and two of those were against Peru and Venezuela, two nations that failed to qualify for the World Cup.
On paper, Uruguay have one of the best midfields in South America. Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur is a solid three - but it's those in behind and in front which lack the quality to compete at a higher level.
Bielsa can often be stubborn - and his squad selections often haven't gone down well with fans. There's plenty of work for Uruguay to do.
Brazil: Carlo Ancelotti's daunting task
Where do we start with Brazil? It's been a turbulent two years post failing in Qatar. Tite was sacked after failing to deliver in the Middle East, before Fernando Diniz and Dorival Junior also failed to impress during a chaotic qualifying campaign.
After Brazil failed to deliver at Copa America, a change was required, and a big one. Carlo Ancelotti had been their number one target for quite some time and they finally got their man - but have Brazil improved under him? It's a difficult one to answer.
The Italian saw his team beat Paraguay and Chile at home but failed against Bolivia - albeit in extreme conditions.
A 5-0 hammering against South Korea saw Brazil play free-flowing, ruthless football for the first time in what feels an eternity. But that result was short lived as four days later a rotated side lost 3-2 against Japan having led 2-0.
The ex-Real Madrid manager has so much talent to work with - including 18-year-old wonderkid Estevao - but the lack of strength of depth is concerning.
They face a real test this Saturday at the Emirates against Senegal - a nation that beat England 3-1 earlier in the year - and once again their could be goals on offer.
Betting Tip: Back over 2.5 goals between Brazil and Senegal at 4/5 –
BetMGM
Paraguay & Bolivia Back with a bang
Both Paraguay and Bolivia changed their head coach mid-qualifiers - and it turned out to be the correct decision.
Paraguay drafted in Gustafo Alfaro who turned his team into a winning machine - especially at home. They beat Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay at home - conceding just three goals from nine matches - securing their first World Cup since 2010.
Bolivia gave the head coach role to Oscar Villagas - and straight away he moved their home games from La Paz to El Alto - sitting over 4,250m above sea level. Opponents weren't happy, but it did the trick as a 1-0 win on the last day saw Bolivia snatch 7th spot, who will now head to the new-look intercontinental play-offs hoping to join Paraguay in the US next summer.
Their young forward, Miguelito, scored seven goals during qualifiers - one less than Lionel Messi.
Venezuela, Chile and Peru fall short
Venezuela remain the only South American nation not to qualify for a World Cup. It was in their hands on the final day, yet a shock 6-3 defeat against Colombia saw Bolivia take their place instead.
Chile and Peru - both two nations that have enjoyed golden eras in recent years - propped up the table. Two ageing squads with a lack of young talent coming through saw their fate sealed early on during qualifiers.
All three nations have so much work to do off the pitch if they are to make it to the 2030 World Cup.
But for now, all eyes are on Argentina and Brazil as they head to the US next summer - but don't rule out a good showing from Ecuador who were excellent throughout the qualifiers.
