Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to play 2030 qualifiers despite automatic spots | OneFootball

Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will take part in the 2030 South American qualifiers despite already being qualified as hosts of the tournament’s opening matches.

According to SuperDepor.com, FIFA has informed CONMEBOL that the trio’s participation will not free additional slots, ensuring competitive action without affecting their guaranteed berths.

The competition will keep its traditional round robin format across 18 matchdays. With Spain, Portugal and Morocco also hosting, South America’s usual six and a half places will be reshaped, and the three remaining automatic berths plus the intercontinental play-off spot will be contested only by Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela.

The tentative start is set for the late March 2027 FIFA window, aligned with the first friendlies after the 2026 World Cup, although there are views to push the kick-off to September.

Formal communication among the 10 South American federations will follow a key meeting scheduled in three weeks.

FIFA still has decisions pending for the 2030 tournament, planned for June and July that year. The final calendar, the venue for the showpiece match, and the outcome of a March 2025 proposal to expand the field to 64 teams remain unconfirmed.

Source: SuperDepor.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”