South America’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers crushed dreams, from Alexis Sanchez fading, Jon Aramburu falling short, to Rodrygo’s injury blow.
While 48 teams will feature at the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, some of South America’s best players won’t be making the trip to the USA, Canada, and Mexico because of brutal qualifiers and injury blows.
Alexis Sanchez, Jon Aramburu, and Rodrygo Goes highlight a trio of players whose dreams have faded amid national struggles and cruel twists. Chile, Venezuela, and even mighty Brazil navigated the unforgiving CONMEBOL table, where only six direct spots went to the top finishers.
These three embody the heartbreak, with veterans bowing out, rising stars falling short, and a promising attacker struck down by injury. The Hard Tackle discusses these three players further.
Alexis Sanchez
Chile’s golden generation, once Copa America kings in 2015 and 2016, have crumbled into irrelevance on the world stage. Alexis Sanchez, the fiery former Arsenal, Manchester United winger now at Sevilla, watched his nation slump to the bottom of the ten-team standings, losing 2-0 in Bolivia to confirm a third straight World Cup absence, a stunning fall from grace for La Roja.
At 37, Sanchez’s plea for forgiveness after that defeat—“We have to ask people to forgive us”—rang hollow against Chile’s dismal run. No longer the squad’s undisputed star, he sat out key qualifiers like the Brazil clash under new coach Nicolas Cordova, signalling the end of an era. This feels like Robert Lewandowski’s Poland exit, with a last shot at redemption gone.
Jon Aramburu
Venezuela have long punched above their weight, but the Vinotinto’s play-off hopes evaporated in CONMEBOL’s grind. Jon Aramburu, the Real Sociedad right-back, tasted brief glory with his sole international goal, a strike in a 2-1 win over Paraguay. However, it could not lift his side into contention.
Aramburu logged 20 caps across 2023-2026, thriving at club level. Yet, Venezuela finished outside the top six despite his defensive steel. Like Burkina Faso’s Edmond Tapsoba, his ball-playing poise from the back couldn’t overcome group-stage pitfalls and play-off drama.
At 23, Aramburu mirrors Benjamin Sesko’s timeline—youth offers 2030 solace. Real Sociedad values his La Liga promise, and no World Cup glare lets him build quietly. Venezuela’s rare FIFA Series runner-up spot hints at progress, but qualifiers exposed familiar frailties.
Rodrygo Goes’ Cruel Injury Blow
Brazil, perennial favorites under Carlo Ancelotti, secured their spot, but Rodrygo Goes won’t join the samba party. A devastating ACL tear and meniscus damage in his right knee during a La Liga clash against Getafe ruled the 25-year-old out for the season and the entire tournament.
Rodrygo called it “one of the worst days of my life,” fresh off key friendlies against South Korea, Japan, Senegal, and Tunisia that cemented his squad status. He underwent a successful surgery, but could be out for almost a year.
Unlike Osimhen’s penalty agony, Rodrygo’s miss stems from fate, not failure—echoing careers derailed mid-peak. Madrid’s attack thins without him; and rehab becomes his 2030 path, with youth on his side like Ademola Lookman.
While Rodrygo has been an integral part of the Real Madrid setup for years, he could have been on the move in the summer amidst increasing competition in the squad and interest from European giants. But injury might hinder his chances of securing a move this summer, even though links with high-profile clubs, including Chelsea.
