Lionel Scaloni will have to find alternatives to the absences of Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Paulo Dybala when Argentina takes on Uruguay.

That expanded field means Argentina is already well on its way to a World Cup return, but the table is tightening up. Brazil have recovered after a slow start, while Colombia and Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay are dangerous but have had hiccups and Bolivia had won three in a row to thicken the plot in the race for the final

Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on March 21. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado. Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on SBS On Demand.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.

Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama Stadium.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.