Colombia Secures 2026 World Cup Spot with 3-0 Bolivia Win

Colombia secured its qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bolivia in Barranquilla, marking their seventh appearance in the tournament. James Rodríguez opened the scoring with a precise finish, followed by goals from Jhon Córdoba and Juan Fernando Quintero, sealing the win and igniting celebrations among fans. Colombia overcame a challenging qualifying campaign, including a six-game winless streak, to finish fifth in the CONMEBOL standings. Meanwhile, Uruguay, under the leadership of veteran coach Marcelo Bielsa, clinched their World Cup spot with a 3-0 win over Peru, highlighting Bielsa's milestone of guiding a third national team to the finals. Paraguay also qualified by securing a draw against Ecuador, joining traditional powerhouses Brazil and Argentina as South American representatives. The expanded 2026 World Cup format grants six automatic spots to CONMEBOL teams, making these qualifications significant for the region's football powerhouses.