The GBE Expert Hub World Cup Preview: CONMEBOL Special
Louis Smith has done the Lord's work and managed to write previews for the extended number of CONMEBOL based qualifiers
CONMEBOL is the second most successful football confederation at World Cups behind UEFA and the expansion to 48 teams means that the confederation is now sending six nations to the World Cup.
Obviously, defending champions Argentina, and five-time champions Brazil, are the traditional powers of the confederation, whilst it has now been almost a century since Uruguay were World Cup winners.
From a GBE perspective, there are eight CONMEBOL nations inside the top 50 of the 24 month ranking. Venezuela and Paraguay entered the top 50 for the winter window and retain their place ahead of the summer window.
This means that any player who plays a certain percentage of competitive matches over the last two years could get an auto pass for a GBE, or, at least, a number of GBE points towards the 15 required for a pass.
From a league perspective, the Brazilian top flight has JUST been moved into GBE Band 2, which makes it easy to get domestic players from that league. Interestingly, this is probably more relevant for players from other CONMEBOL countries than Brazil itself, where the vast majority of their squad ply their trade in Europe.
Argentina’s top flight is found in Band 3, Colombia is in Band 4, and Chile and Uruguay top divisions are found in Band 5. The remainder of the leagues in South America are in Band 6.
Argentina
The feeling in the local media/fanbase
For Argentina, the weight of the world has lifted from their shoulders. Following their victory at the 2022 World Cup, they finally got their third star.
They head into this World Cup as defending champions and, in many ways, are looking forward to enjoying the tournament rather than suffering through it. Many supporters have already seen them lift the biggest prize in football. They reached their pinnacle in 2022 and have backed it up with two Copa América titles in recent years.
There is a feeling among many fans that they have already given them the greatest joy of their lives, and whatever happens now is a bonus. Because of that, Argentina will be able to watch and experience this World Cup with a sense of calm and peace that they have never really had before.
The worrying thing for Argentina at the moment is that they haven’t really had proper preparation for the World Cup since the South American qualifiers finished. They’ve faced a number of lacklustre opponents that they wouldn’t usually come up against, including sides such as Mauritania.
Because of that, it’s going to be interesting to see how they get on at this World Cup. On paper, they remain one of the favourites, but they haven’t really been tested in recent months, and that could be a factor once the tournament gets underway.
The player who could make or break the campaign
Whilst it’s impossible to look beyond Lionel Messi when discussing the player who could make or break Argentina’s campaign, the pressure on him is not quite the same as it once was. He is now 39 years old, and expectations are naturally a little different.
For me, the player who could make or break Argentina’s campaign is Julián Álvarez. Because Messi is 39, Álvarez is going to have to do more of the running, more of the pressing and more of the work off the ball.
What Argentina need from Álvarez, and what he is so good at providing, is creating space and chaos that allows other players to operate. His movement drags defenders out of position, opening gaps for teammates to exploit. His finishing could also be key, especially after a strong season with Atlético Madrid.
The future star
I think the breakout player for Argentina could be 21-year-old attacking midfielder Nico Paz, who has enjoyed a fantastic season with Como, helping fire them into Champions League qualification with a number of impressive performances.
He has been involved in 18 league goals, scoring 12 and providing six assists, showing that he can be both a creative spark and a goalscorer. His ability to unlock defences, combined with his eye for goal, makes him one of the most exciting young players in the squad.
There are rumours that he is carrying a slight knee injury heading into the tournament, but if he can stay fit, I think he has every chance of being one of the breakout stars of the World Cup and a key player for the defending champions.
Likely starting XI
Emiliano Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Nicolás Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez
Your prediction for the tournament
Argentina 2-0 Algeria
Argentina 2-1 Austria
Argentina 3-0 Jordan
Brazil
The feeling in the local media/fanbase
Heading into the 2026 World Cup, Brazil is quite a fascinating angle.
It’s Brazil. It’s the most successful country in World Cup history. However, this time around, their squad is an ageing one, with several players over the age of 30. It’s Brazil, so there’s always going to be interest in the World Cup, but a report by Folha, a São Paulo-based news company, revealed that 54% of Brazilians have little to no interest in the World Cup, the highest level of indifference since data collection began in 1994.
The media are unsure what to expect from the side. Their qualifying campaign was one of the worst in their history, including defeats against Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay and Bolivia.
Since the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti, that has somewhat helped keep the enthusiasm alive for the Brazil national team, despite the uncertainty coming into the tournament. Brazil are hoping that, given their history of success, there will always be a belief that they can find a way to achieve something.
Their last two World Cup campaigns have been disappointing, especially after seeing rivals Argentina lift the title last time out in Qatar. Recent matches, including a 6-2 win over Panama and a 2-1 victory over Egypt, have helped lift spirits within the country and, as we build up to the World Cup, it is expected that the excitement will continue to grow.
The squad were welcomed to the World Cup with the traditional firehose salute over the plane as it departed the United States, which also helped lift the nation’s hype.
The player who could make or break the campaign
It’s clear that the standout player, the make-or-break player for Brazil’s campaign, is Vinícius Jr. He’s by far their most talented player, but he’s also the one who is going to have the pressure on him.
A lot of the talk coming into the tournament has been about whether Neymar is in the squad or not, which has probably helped deflect some of that pressure away from Vinícius Jr. for the time being. However, when it comes to the football, the nation of Brazil is going to be expecting a lot from him, especially now that Carlo Ancelotti is his manager at international level. He knows how to get the best out of him.
His ability to destroy defences, his ability to take the game on his shoulders and win matches almost single-handedly makes him so important. With Ancelotti rumoured to be playing either a 4-2-4 or a 4-4-2 out of possession, Vinícius Jr. could be crucial on the counter-attack.
Should Ancelotti opt for that approach in knockout football, Vinícius Jr. is simply the player who will make or break Brazil’s campaign.
The future star
The future star for Brazil is an interesting one because there are technically two players who could really shine at this tournament. Both Endrick, who has enjoyed a fantastic spell since moving on loan to Lyon, and Rayan, the Bournemouth player, who has taken to the Premier League brilliantly since arriving.
His ability to run at defenders and the pure confidence he has shown have really stood out. I think the boy from Rio de Janeiro could play a key part in this World Cup, as could Endrick.
But for me, the one who is most likely to stand out is Rayan, should he get the game time. Ever since joining from Vasco, where he scored 14 Brasileirão goals in 34 appearances, he has looked right at home in the Premier League with five goals in 15 matches.
However, he brings much more than just goals. His pace, dribbling ability and willingness to take defenders on make him a nightmare to play against. He will be a fantastic option to have from the bench, and someone Carlo Ancelotti will no doubt look towards if Brazil need something different during a game.
Likely starting XI
Alisson, Wesley, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Alex Sandro, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Matheus Cunha, Vinícius Júnior
Your prediction for the tournament
Brazil 2-1 Morocco
Brazil 4-1 Haiti
Brazil 1-1 Scotland
Brazil’s group has the potential to be a bit of a banana skin, with Morocco, Haiti and Scotland all standing in their way.
I do think they can get over the line, but it won’t be straightforward. Morocco will be a very good match and one that could go either way, but I just fancy Brazil to edge it narrowly. I also think they’ll have enough firepower to get past Haiti.
The Scotland game is the interesting one for me. I actually fancy Scotland to earn a draw against Brazil. It would be a huge result for the Scots and one that could have a big impact on how the group finishes.
Colombia
The feeling in the local media/fanbase
After their absence from the 2022 World Cup, Los Cafeteros are back on the world stage.
The atmosphere heading into the tournament is one of redemption, huge expectation and perhaps the romantic feeling of a last dance, with James Rodríguez likely taking part in his final World Cup.
Over the last two years under Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia have been one of the most impressive sides in international football. Pundits have praised the balance Lorenzo has struck, with Colombia playing a highly vertical and devastating brand of transitional football.
However, defeats to France and Croatia, where defensive lapses were exposed, have left some lingering questions. Can Colombia replicate their success against the very best opposition on the world stage?
A recent 3-1 victory over Costa Rica in the build-up to the tournament has helped calm some nerves, but there is still a feeling of caution. Many are wondering whether Colombia’s attacking flair and willingness to commit bodies forward could leave their backline exposed against Europe’s elite should they come up against them later in the competition.
The player who could make or break the campaign
The make-or-break player for Colombia is former Liverpool man and Bayern Munich hotshot Luis Díaz.
He carries a lot of the responsibility for this Colombia side on his shoulders and, after a successful season with Bayern Munich, Lucho arrives at the World Cup at the peak of his powers. He is a world-class weapon in transition and one of the most dangerous players in the tournament when running at defenders with the ball at his feet.
His directness, pace and trickery make him almost a cheat code at times. If he is playing at his best, opposition defences will naturally focus their attention on him, which in turn can create space for players such as James Rodríguez, Jhon Córdoba and Jhon Arias to exploit.
In qualifying, James and Díaz combined for a significant percentage of Colombia’s attacking output, and that has created some concern within the Colombian media. There is a feeling that Colombia can become overly reliant on those two players. If an opponent is able to successfully limit their influence on a match, Colombia’s attacking play can become stalled and far more predictable.
For that reason, Díaz is the player who could ultimately make or break Colombia’s World Cup campaign.
Breakout star
My breakout star for Colombia is Richard Ríos.
Since his move from Palmeiras to Benfica, following a series of strong performances, his reputation has continued to grow. Colombian fans first fell in love with his flair and swagger during the 2024 Copa América, where he emerged as one of Colombia’s standout performers. At Palmeiras, he was a key figure in midfield, and he now looks ready to take the next step on the world stage.
Coming from a futsal background, Ríos brings a unique and joyful style to the midfield. He is comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces, can glide away from pressure and possesses a level of technical ability that is unusual for a midfielder with such a strong physical presence.
He can transition from a creative ball carrier into a physical box-to-box enforcer when required and should work well in a double pivot alongside Jefferson Lerma. His energy and defensive work allow players such as James to conserve energy and focus on creating chances higher up the pitch.
A lot of Colombia’s attacking fluency starts with the work Ríos does behind the scenes. If Colombia enjoy a strong tournament, don’t be surprised if Richard Ríos leaves it with many more admirers than he had before it started.
Likely Lineup
Camilo Vargas (or Álvaro Montero) Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Johan Mojica, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos, Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba
Prediction
Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan
Colombia 2-0 DR Congo
Colombia 2-3 Portugal
Uruguay
The feeling in the local media/fanbase
The Bielsa era for Uruguay started on a high note, with impressive victories over both Brazil and Argentina. However, things slowed down drastically after that.
Uruguay endured a difficult spell in front of goal, failing to score in eight of their final 12 World Cup qualifiers. As a result, sections of the media began to question whether Bielsa’s methods were still being fully bought into by the squad.
It is also the first World Cup since 2002 that Uruguay will enter without Luis Suárez. The legendary striker had briefly come out of international retirement, but Bielsa ultimately decided not to include him in his squad following a public falling out between the pair. Suárez openly criticised Bielsa’s management style, describing it as toxic in his own words.
Heading into the World Cup, there is a feeling of tactical unrest, dressing-room tension and the reality of a historic generational shift. Uruguay still possess plenty of talent, but there are more questions surrounding this side than there have been for many years.
The player who could make or break the campaign
Uruguay have been unlucky with the injury to Giorgian De Arrascaeta. In Uruguay’s last World Cup match, he scored a brace, but it was not enough to get them over the line. Now, the Flamengo playmaker has picked up an injury and will miss the tournament.
With that in mind, the player who could make or break Uruguay’s campaign for me is Darwin Núñez.
I know many people will point towards Federico Valverde, and rightly so. He is a hugely important player for this Uruguay side. However, a player like Núñez can make or break a campaign simply because of how Uruguay want to play. Bielsa’s football is built around intensity, pressing and chaos, and Darwin Núñez is the embodiment of that.
His running power is relentless. He is constantly stretching defences, pressing defenders and creating problems. He is almost the organiser of chaos in Uruguay’s attack. If he gets an early goal or two in the group stage, similar to what happened during Uruguay’s victories over Brazil and Argentina, his confidence could be huge for the team.
The local media in Uruguay are sweating a little over Núñez due to his form heading into the tournament and his lack of clinical finishing at times. However, if he starts scoring goals, he could be the difference-maker Uruguay need to make a deep run.
Something that may actually work in his favour is the fact he has not played much league football recently due to not being registered for the league competition in Saudi Arabia. Whilst that means he may lack a little match sharpness, he will also arrive at the tournament fresher than many players. In tournament football, staying fit and peaking at the right time can often be just as important as form.
Breakout Future star
The youngest player in Uruguay’s squad is Facundo Pellistri, and he is currently carrying the torch for Uruguay’s new generation. He possesses blistering pace and a direct, relentless style of play that fits Bielsa’s tactical blueprint perfectly.
His ability to stretch the pitch on the right wing is exactly what Uruguay need, creating space and opportunities for players such as Darwin Núñez through the middle. Despite experiencing a turbulent time at club level, Pellistri has barely missed a match for the national team since making his debut.
Bielsa values his football intelligence and defensive work rate, two qualities that are essential in his system. Local Uruguayan media have reported that, whilst Pellistri is still young, he plays with the tactical maturity of someone much older.
He has always looked more comfortable in a Uruguay shirt than at club level, and the World Cup could be the perfect stage for him to take another step forward. If Uruguay are to make a deep run into the tournament, don’t be surprised if Facundo Pellistri plays a key role in it.
Likely Lineup
Sergio Rochet, Guillermo Varela, Ronald Araújo, José Giménez, Mathías Olivera, Manuel Ugarte, Federico Valverde, Rodrigo Bentancur, Facundo Pellistri, Maximiliano Araújo, Darwin Núñez
Prediction
Uruguay 2-1 Saudi Arabia
Spain 2-0 Uruguay
Uruguay 2-0 Cape Verde
Ecuador
The feeling in the local media/fanbase
Many provinces in Ecuador are currently under a state of emergency due to a recent surge in crime, and the World Cup is being seen as something of a lifeline. Local media have reported that the tournament has gripped the nation and become a source of joy during a difficult period. Many people are buying new televisions and hanging yellow jerseys in the streets as they look for some good news and something to unite the country behind.
In terms of football, Ecuador enjoyed a strong qualification campaign. Even with a points deduction, they still managed to finish second and lost just twice in 18 matches. Whilst many have highlighted how strong their defence was throughout qualifying, they have also struggled at times going forward, with several matches finishing 0-0.
There is still a bit of a feeling of not quite knowing what to expect from Ecuador. They have been extremely difficult to score against, but they have also found goals hard to come by themselves. For all of their strength at the back, there are still some questions up front, where the legendary Enner Valencia remains their main focal point in attack.
The player who could make or break the campaign
The make-or-break player for Ecuador, for me, is Moisés Caicedo. As expected, he is the heartbeat of this Ecuador side and everything seems to revolve around him.
Not only does he provide protection in front of the defence, but he can also help Ecuador transition from defence into attack. His energy, ability to win the ball back and drive forward with possession make him one of the most complete midfielders not just in the tournament, but in world football.
Ecuador have not been blessed when it comes to goals, and whilst Caicedo is not known for scoring regularly, he is capable of producing something from long range when needed. More importantly, his overall impact on the game will often determine how Ecuador perform.
If he plays well and controls the midfield, it is likely Ecuador will come away with a positive result. If he struggles to impose himself on the game, Ecuador could find themselves having a difficult afternoon. For that reason, he is the player who could make or break their World Cup campaign.
The future star
The future star of this Ecuador side, and probably one of the brightest young stories at the tournament, is Kendry Páez. At just 19 years old, he is expected to be one of Ecuador’s key creative talents.
Elite European scouts have known about Páez for years, which is why Chelsea moved quickly to secure his signature when he was just 16. He is currently on loan at River Plate and continuing his development.
Páez is also no stranger to breaking records. He became the youngest player ever to score in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at just 16 years and 161 days old. Despite still being in his teens, he has already earned 25 senior international caps.
What excites Ecuadorians most is that he seems completely unbothered by everything around him. He has that confidence, almost an arrogance in a good way, when he plays. He wants the ball in tight spaces, likes to take on defenders and is never afraid to try something different, whether that’s a cheeky chip to catch out a goalkeeper or a strike from long range.
If Ecuador do make a deep run into the knockout rounds, there is a good chance Páez will have announced himself on the world stage with at least one or two standout performances along the way.
Likely starting XI
Hernán Galíndez, Ángelo Preciado, Félix Torres, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapié, Pervis Estupiñán, Alan Franco, Moisés Caicedo, Kendry Páez, Gonzalo Plata, Enner Valencia
Your prediction for the tournament
Ecuador 1-1 Ivory Coast
Ecuador 2-0 Curaçao
Ecuador 0-1 Germany
Paraguay
The feeling in the local media/fanbase
The feeling in Paraguay going into the 2026 World Cup is exactly as you would expect: excitement.
It is their first World Cup since 2010, and this is not just excitement that has appeared overnight. It has been building and building for years. As Paraguay edged closer to qualification, the anticipation around the country only grew stronger.
I have travelled to Paraguay several times over the last couple of years, and one topic always seemed to dominate conversations: the World Cup. A lot of the younger generation have never seen Paraguay play at a World Cup. In fact, the last time they appeared on football’s biggest stage, they enjoyed one of the greatest runs in their history, reaching the quarter-finals before being edged out by eventual winners Spain.
Paraguay have always been known as a side that digs deep and makes life difficult for opponents, and that was certainly the case during that era. After disappointing qualification campaigns for the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, they have finally returned to the global stage.
Many supporters view a group containing Australia, the United States and Turkey as a favourable draw. There is genuine confidence that Paraguay can progress to the knockout stages, and if they get there, the feeling is simple: take it one game at a time and see where the journey leads.
The player who could make or break the campaign
(Andy: Since Louis wrote this Julio Enciso has suffered an injury in a pre-tournament friendly, albeit there has been no confirmation that he misses the tournament as a result)
The player who will make or break Paraguay’s tournament is Julio Enciso.
Ever since breaking through at Libertad, he has looked like a special talent. His move to Brighton only enhanced that reputation. Whenever he gets the ball at his feet, he looks capable of making something happen. He is direct, fearless and possesses the ability to beat defenders with ease. On top of that, he has a rocket of a shot and can score goals from seemingly impossible positions. He’s adapted to life in France very well, too.
Enciso has been one of Paraguay’s standout players throughout their journey back to the World Cup and is the type of footballer who can create something out of nothing. In tournaments like this, having a player capable of producing a moment of magic can make all the difference.
That said, it is hard to focus solely on Enciso because Paraguay’s success will also depend heavily on their defensive strength. Gustavo Gómez remains a key figure. Earlier in his international career, he received criticism because he would regularly dominate for Palmeiras but then make costly mistakes when representing Paraguay.
That has changed in recent years. Gómez has become the leader Paraguay always hoped he would be, bringing the same authority, composure and winning mentality that has made him such a success at Palmeiras. His influence at both ends of the pitch has been vital, and Paraguay are a much stronger side because of it.
The future star
There are a few players I could pick as a breakout star for Paraguay, but a lot of them have already broken through. Julio Enciso is already a Premier League player, while Diego Gómez has also established himself at a high level. (Can leave this part out if you like) Because of that, I’m going to go with Damián Bobadilla.
The São Paulo midfielder has become a hugely important player, not just for his club but also for Paraguay. He played a big role in their qualification campaign.
Bobadilla is a composed midfielder who can dictate the tempo of a game, retain possession, keep possession moving and help launch attacks from deeper areas. He is the glue that holds Paraguay’s midfield together and allows the more attacking players around him to flourish.
A lot of the attention will naturally go towards players such as Enciso, but Bobadilla is just as important to the way Paraguay play. He’s already linked with a move to Europe in the summer, but he could draw more interest with a strong tournament.
Likely starting XI
Roberto Fernandez / Orlando Gil (Fernandez played the majority of qualifying matches, but Gil is rumoured to be the Number 1), Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Omar Alderete, Juan Cáceres, Damián Bobadilla, Miguel Almirón, Julio Enciso, Diego Gómez, Antonio Sanabria
Your prediction for the tournament
USA 2-1 Paraguay
Turkey 1-1 Paraguay
Paraguay 2-0 Australia
Who will get the furthest from the CONMEBOL nations?
Based on my tournament bracket i have formed I have:
Argentina - Quarter Final
Brazil - Quarter Final
Colombia - Round of 16
Uruguay - Round of 32
Ecuador - Quarter Final
Paraguay - Round of 16
If this were to come to pass it would mean no South American nations in the last four of the World Cup. This did actuallly happen in 2018, and has happened on four other occasions, with all European semi-finals in 1934, 1966, 1982, and 2006. All of those tournaments were, of course, held in Europe however.