BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Defending champion Argentina qualified for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) when Bolivia failed to beat Uruguay.
Argentina leads South American qualifying and hosts archrival Brazil at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium later Tuesday.
South America has six direct berths in the next World Cup, a 48-team tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Argentina was assured of one of the six spots when seventh-place Bolivia drew 0-0 with Uruguay in El Alto. The Bolivians have 14 points with only four matches remaining for the Andean team.
"We have a secured place for the top tournament," Argentina's national team said on X. "One more time, we will fight for the maximum glory. Let's go, Argentina!"
Backed by Lionel Messi, three-time World Cup winner Argentina (28 points) has led South American qualifying from the start, with few hiccups and major away wins at Brazil and Uruguay.
But coach Lionel Scaloni has not fielded 37-year-old Inter Miami forward in several games, which still raises doubts on whether the star will play in the tournament next year.
Messi has an injury to his adductor and was not included in Argentina's squad.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Tawanda Chirewa scored in the final minute to deal a major blow to Nigeria's World Cup qualification prospects in a 1-1 draw between the teams.
Unbeaten Egypt made no such mistake as Zizo's goal was enough for a 1-0 win over Sierra Leone in Cairo.
Zizo struck just before the break for the Pharaohs to maintain a five-point lead over Burkina Faso, which had defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-1 on Monday, in qualification Group A.
Nigeria star Victor Osimhen put the Super Eagles on course to claim just their second win in Group C when he scored in the 74th. Friday's 2-0 victory over Rwanda had rekindled Nigeria's qualification hopes.
But the 21-year-old Chirewa, a late substitute, equalized in the 90th to earn Zimbabwe a draw.
Meanwhile, South Africa defeated Benin, 2-0, to consolidate the top spot. Bafana Bafana leads with 13 points from six rounds, five clear of Rwanda (which drew with Lesotho 1-1) and Benin. Nigeria stayed fourth in the group with just seven points.