Argentine iconic coach, Marcelo Bielsa, is on the cusp of achieving another milestone in his illustrious career, as Uruguay prepare for a decisive World Cup qualifier against Peru on Thursday.
A draw at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo would be enough to send the Celeste to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Paraguay are in a similar position, needing only a point at home against Ecuador to guarantee their ticket, while Colombia can also secure qualification by defeating Bolivia.
Argentina, already through alongside Brazil and Ecuador, face Venezuela in Buenos Aires in what promises to be a highly emotional evening. For Lionel Messi, now 38, it will mark his final home qualifier in the Albiceleste shirt.
For Bielsa, aged 70, guiding Uruguay to another World Cup would be a career-defining moment. His international résumé has seen ups and downs, a shock group-stage elimination with Argentina in 2002, followed by a more respectable run with Chile in 2010, where he reached the knockouts before falling 3-0 to Brazil.
Since taking charge of Uruguay two years ago, Bielsa’s tenure has been met with a mix of excitement and criticism.
The Celeste have found the net just 19 times in 16 qualifiers, far from the attacking brand of football usually associated with the Argentine.
Reflecting candidly on his reign so far, Bielsa remarked: “If I had to qualify my management, I would say that we should have got more than we did.”
Despite the inconsistency, Uruguay remain firmly in control of their fate, aided by CONMEBOL’s expanded system that guarantees automatic qualification for six of the 10 nations, plus a seventh via a playoff. Midfield star Federico Valverde echoed that reality: “This qualification campaign was easier than the previous ones.”
Venezuela eyeing a first-ever World Cup
Uruguay’s and Paraguay’s celebrations could be delayed if Venezuela, currently on 18 points, manage to upset Argentina. That scenario would require both favorites to lose while the Vinotinto pull off a historic win in Buenos Aires.
For Messi, the night is already symbolic. “This qualification campaign was easier than the previous ones,” he said recently. “This qualification campaign was easier than the previous ones.”
The Argentine captain has yet to confirm whether he will feature in the 2026 edition, though his club career in Miami makes his involvement appear likely.
Even if Venezuela fall short in Argentina, they remain in a strong position to qualify for the first time in history. With only one point separating them from Bolivia, the battle for the playoff spot looks set to go to the wire. Venezuela will face Colombia next Tuesday, while Bolivia host Brazil.
Chile, marooned at the bottom with just 10 points, are the only team officially eliminated. Peru, with 12 points, still hold a mathematical chance but must win both remaining matches and pray for both Venezuela and Bolivia to collapse, an outcome that seems highly improbable.