New Zealand reached the World Cup for only the third time.

With a run of five wins, four losses and two draws, Brazil are fourth in the standings on 17 points, five behind leaders Argentina, with the top six qualifying automatically for the World Cup in North America. Uruguay are second on 19 points.

Vinicius Jr, who missed Brazil's victories over Peru and Chile last month with a neck injury, will be back in the starting lineup after Real Madrid teammate Rodrygo suffered a muscle injury in Saturday's 4-0 win over Osasuna in LaLiga.

The defeat leaves Brazil in fifth place in the standings on 10 points, leading by goal difference from Venezuela, who drew 0-0 at home to Uruguay on Tuesday.

Colombia skipper Rodriguez buried a nerveless 60th minute spot-kick to seal a pulsating win over reigning world champions Argentina, who were without injured captain Lionel Messi.

This South American World Cup qualifier fixture serves as a reprise of July’s Copa America final, where Argentina clinched a thrilling victory with Lautaro Martinez’s decisive extra-time goal, securing their second successive title.

Japan has been declared the winner of its cancelled World Cup qualifying match against North Korea by forfeit, the sport's global governing body told the Japan Football Association on Saturday.

From 15 to 21 November, the 53 nations involved in the African qualifying campaign kicked off their quest to secure one of the nine automatic spots up for grabs at football’s most illustrious event.

"This group continues to achieve historic things," Messi said.

Australia will donate part of their match fees from a World Cup 2026 qualifier against Palestine in Kuwait City on Tuesday towards humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Bangladesh kicked off their World Cup Qualifiers campaign with a thumping 7-0 defeat to mighty Australia in Group I fixture at AAMI Park Stadium in Melbourne yesterday, with substitute Jaime Maclaren stealing the spotlight with a second-half hattrick.