Latin America Sports Daily for Friday, July 17, 2026

Argentina set for World Cup 2026 final against Spain in Montevideo

World Cup

Argentina reached the World Cup 2026 final by beating England 2-1 in the semifinal, setting up a title decider against Spain.

The final is scheduled for Sunday at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, the historic venue of the first World Cup final in 1930.

This will be Argentina’s chance to add a fourth World Cup crown and cement South America’s dominance after winning the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Spain arrive as European champions, framing the match as a classic Europe–South America showdown for global supremacy.

Mexico’s World Cup campaign ends in Round of 32 loss to England at Azteca

World Cup

Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, giving home fans early optimism.

El Tri later reached the Round of 32 but were eliminated 3-2 by England in match 92, played on 5 July at Estadio Azteca with an 8:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM local kickoff.

This result continues Mexico’s pattern of falling in the first knockout round at recent World Cups, despite the advantage of playing at their iconic home stadium.

England’s win over Mexico, followed by their semifinal defeat to Argentina, underlines how Latin American sides still define the tournament’s narrative.

Copa Libertadores group stage drives club intensity across South America

Football

The 2026 Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club competition, will culminate with a final at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on 28 November 2026, but group-stage battles already define the season.

Current matchday fixtures include Independiente Rivadavia v Fluminense, Independiente Santa Fe v Corinthians, Deportes Tolima v Nacional, Universidad Católica v Cruzeiro, Platense v Peñarol, Mirassol v LDU and Coquimbo Unido v Universitario.

These ties feature leading clubs from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador and Peru, with points crucial for securing places in the knockout rounds.

Broadcast rights in the United States are held by beIN Sports through 2026, with additional streaming via Fanatiz and fuboTV, and UK coverage through Mola TV, keeping global audiences connected to the competition.

South American path to World Cup 2026: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia among qualifiers

Analysis

CONMEBOL’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign saw Argentina become the first South American team to secure their spot after a 4-1 home win over Brazil at the Mas Monumental on 25 March 2025.

Earlier matchdays featured key results such as Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela, Uruguay’s 3-0 win against Peru, Colombia’s 3-0 over Bolivia and Brazil’s 3-0 success against Chile on 9 September 2025.

On the final matchday, Ecuador beat Argentina 1-0, Chile drew 0-0 with Uruguay, Bolivia edged Brazil 1-0, Colombia defeated Venezuela 6-3 and Paraguay won 1-0 away to Peru, sealing the standings and playoff positions.

These results explain how regional powers like Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay qualified, while others such as Paraguay and Ecuador fought through tight margins to secure World Cup berths or playoff spots.

More: South Africa news in English, every day from The Rio Times.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

How did Argentina reach the World Cup 2026 final and who do they play?

Argentina reached the World Cup 2026 final by defeating England 2-1 in the semifinal, a win that set up a title decider against Spain.

The final will be played at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo on Sunday, giving the reigning world champions a chance to claim a fourth World Cup and reinforce South America’s dominance.

What happened to Mexico’s World Cup campaign at their home Estadio Azteca?

Mexico started the 2026 World Cup positively, beating South Africa 2-0 in the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

However, their tournament ended in the Round of 32, where they lost 3-2 to England in match 92 on 5 July, with kickoff at 8:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM local time at the same stadium.

Which South American clubs are in action in the Copa Libertadores right now?

Current Copa Libertadores fixtures include Independiente Rivadavia v Fluminense, Independiente Santa Fe v Corinthians, Deportes Tolima v Nacional, Universidad Católica v Cruzeiro, Platense v Peñarol, Mirassol v LDU and Coquimbo Unido v Universitario.

These matches involve leading clubs from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador and Peru and are pivotal for progressing from the group stage towards the 28 November 2026 final in Montevideo.