After the sixth matchweek wraps up, the road to the 2026 World Cup is paused for a lengthy ten-month stretch. The South American qualifiers move into a quiet phase, shifting focus from sprinting through dates to regrouping, recalibrating, and awaiting the next window of competitive action. This pause is not merely a lull; it is a deliberate intermission that aligns with a broader international calendar built to accommodate multiple major events and the evolving rhythms of global football.
In the immediate term, the qualification process for the 2026 World Cup, to be staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, enters its third consecutive two-game series. These are the final fixtures of 2023 and the closing acts of a long cycle that has seen teams navigate the demanding format of the CONMEBOL qualifiers. With six dates already completed out of a planned 18, every point remains valuable, and the standings carry the weight of a marathon rather than a sprint. The journey to the World Cup is a long road, and the 2026 edition presents a different landscape with North American organizers and broader regional participation in mind.
THIS IS THE POSITION TABLE
WHEN QUALIFICATION RESUMES AND WHY IT IS STOPPED
The first half of 2024 will see no qualifying matches in this cycle. This silence on the pitch is deliberate, as a new edition of the Copa América approaches, set to unfold in the United States in June. The event will bring together six CONCACAF nations alongside the ten CONMEBOL teams, creating a tournament that has significant implications for the wider calendar and the teams involved. The opening match is scheduled for June 20, with the final slated for July 14, coinciding with the European Championship in the same window. This scheduling underscores how global tournaments shape regional qualifiers and influence strategic planning for teams, federations, and coaching staffs alike.
Even though a FIFA international window exists in March, the primary use of that period will be for friendlies, ensuring teams can fine-tune squads, experiment with formations, and test depth without the pressure of World Cup points on the line. The qualifier dates that would have occurred in 2024 will instead be pushed to September, marking the return of three distinct windows to accommodate the evolving international calendar. The plan then extends to a busy 2025, with the remaining six qualifying fixtures distributed across March, June, and September, as teams chase a place in the 2026 tournament and seek to maximize their performance across a broader schedule. This approach reflects a balance between marquee events and the steady progression required to reach the finals, a dynamic that affects player selection, club release timing, and strategic preparation for coaches.
As the world waits for the resumption, analysts and fans alike are weighing the potential impacts. The Copa América, broadcasting considerations, player workloads, and the need to maintain competitive integrity all intersect in this pause. The next phase promises high-stakes football, with teams recalibrating their rosters, scouting upcoming opponents, and plotting routes through a calendar that blends continental championships with global finals. The ten-month break, while lengthy, is a strategic pause designed to synchronize regional campaigns with the broader rhythm of international football, ensuring teams are battle-ready when the next windows open.