South America Qualification Rankings FIFA World Cup 2018
Brazil steamrolled the competition with only 1 loss over 18 games and a goal differential of +30. Uruguay was a distant 2nd with Argentina, Colombia, and Peru limping in behind. Peru managed to book their ticket to Russia by defeating Oceania's qualifier New Zealand in a playoff. Brazil is taking it's top form to the World Cup after defeating #1 ranked Germany 1-0 on 3/27/18 with a goal from Jesus. Brazil has not lost a game in almost a year and will face Croatia and Austria in two international friendlies before their World Cup kicks off against a strong Switzerland team on 6/17/18. But let's not forget about last World Cup championship game where Lionel Messi's Argentina finished a close 2nd to Germany. Argentina is glad to have him back from a brief retirement after dealing with some injuries and Coach Sampoli has handed him the reigns:
"This is going to be his team," Sampaoli told a news conference ahead of the friendly games against Italy and Spain. "He is the best of all and is in a stage of maturity that can he can carry the team on his shoulders. This is going to be his team."
http://www.espn.com/soccer/argentina/story/3428318/lionel-messi-ready-to-carry-argentina-to-world-cup-glory-jorge-sampaoli
Regional qualification rankings based on total points and goal differential during final group stage.
South America
| Rank | Flag | Team | Points | GD | World Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Brazil | 41 | +30 | 2 |
| 2 |  | Uruguay | 31 | +12 | 22 |
| 3 |  | Argentina | 28 | +3 | 4 |
| 4 |  | Colombia | 27 | +2 | 13 |
| 5 |  | Peru | 26 | +1 | 11 |