South America World Cup qualifying prime scorers

The CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying prime scorers record is stuffed with legends of South American soccer. From Lionel Messi to Luis Suarez, the race for objectives has outlined the trail to the FIFA World Cup throughout generations.

In each version, heroes rise and rewrite historical past. Some lengthen their dominance and go away their mark regardless of setbacks, whereas new stars push their nations ahead, protecting the qualifiers’ prime scorers race alive.

All figures are correct earlier than the conclusion of the 2026 South American qualifiers in September 2025, giving followers a snapshot of the most important names in historical past and the present cycle’s most decisive forwards.

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All-time CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying prime scorers

Each version has produced a standout striker. Listed here are the main scorers by event, based mostly on official FIFA information.

1954 – Baltazar (5 objectives)

The 1954 qualifiers marked the primary official South American preliminary competitors. Baltazar, nicknamed “Cabecinha” for his aerial means, scored 5 instances to guide Brazil’s marketing campaign. Alongside Uruguay, the Seleção secured its ticket to Switzerland. Earlier than this version, South American participation was usually decided by invites or withdrawals.

1958 – Norberto Menendez, Maximo Alcocer, Juan Bautista Aguero, Florencio Amarilla, Orestes Corbatta (3 objectives every)

The 1958 cycle noticed a five-way tie on the prime, with Argentina’s Norberto Menendez and Orestes Corbatta, Bolivia’s Maximo Alcocer, and Paraguay’s Juan Bautista Aguero and Florencio Amarilla all scoring three. It was a balanced marketing campaign the place Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay clinched qualification, displaying the aggressive unfold of expertise throughout the area.

1962 – Sanfilippo and Corbatta (3 objectives)

Argentina as soon as once more produced the event’s prime scorers. Sanfilippo and Corbatta struck three objectives apiece, giving La Albiceleste attacking energy. Brazil certified robotically as defending champions, whereas Chile hosted, leaving Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay to battle their means in by means of the qualifiers.

1966 – Pedro Rocha (4 objectives)

Pedro Rocha carried Uruguay’s offense, ending with 4 objectives. This version launched Venezuela to the competitors, increasing the CONMEBOL discipline. Brazil skipped the qualifiers after successful the 1962 World Cup, whereas Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay earned spots for England 1966. Rocha’s efficiency symbolized Uruguay’s resilience in a altering soccer panorama.

1970 – Tostao (10 objectives)

(Supply: FIFA)

Tostao’s ten objectives within the qualifiers underlined Brazil’s dominance. For the primary time, all ten CONMEBOL nations competed, organized into three teams. Brazil, Uruguay, and Peru superior, together with his prolific scoring foreshadowing Brazil’s legendary 1970 workforce that may go on to carry the trophy in Mexico.

1974 – Ruben Ayala (5 objectives)

Argentina’s Ruben Ayala emerged with 5 objectives in a marketing campaign that featured a playoff between Chile and the Soviet Union. Chile certified after the Soviets refused to play in Santiago, giving CONMEBOL 4 representatives alongside Brazil (automated as 1970 champions), Argentina, and Uruguay.

1978 – Zico (5 objectives)

With Argentina internet hosting the World Cup, Brazil’s Zico took the highlight in qualifying, netting 5 objectives. Regardless of Bolivia’s robust push, they misplaced their playoff in opposition to Hungary. Brazil and Peru joined Argentina on the finals, marking the start of Zico’s rise as a worldwide celebrity.

1982 – Zico (5 objectives)

(Supply: FIFA)

Zico turned the one participant in historical past to guide CONMEBOL qualifiers in two separate editions, once more ending with 5 objectives. Argentina had already certified because the 1978 champions, whereas Brazil, Chile, and Peru accomplished South America’s illustration in Spain.

1986 – Jorge Aravena (7 objectives)

Jorge Aravena scored seven instances, however Chile fell quick after shedding a playoff in opposition to Paraguay. Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, superior with three objectives from the long run World Cup legend. Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay additionally certified, however this version highlighted the skinny line between particular person brilliance and collective success.

1990 – Careca and Ruben Paz (5 objectives every)

Careca and Ruben Paz shared prime scorer honors with 5 objectives apiece. Argentina certified robotically as reigning champions, leaving Brazil, Uruguay, and Colombia to safe the remaining spots. Colombia’s playoff win over Israel marked their return to the World Cup stage after 28 years.

1994 – William Ramallo (7 objectives)

William Ramallo’s seven objectives powered Bolivia to a historic World Cup qualification, their first since 1950. Alongside Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, Bolivia’s achievement stood out as certainly one of South America’s best qualifying surprises. Argentina superior after overcoming Australia within the playoff with Diego Maradona again within the fold.

1998 – Ivan Zamorano ( 12 objectives)

(Supply: FIFA)

No participant has ever scored extra in a single South American qualifying marketing campaign than Ivan Zamorano, who struck 12 instances. His partnership with Marcelo Salas, who netted 11, shaped probably the most iconic attacking duos within the continent’s historical past. Chile returned to the World Cup after 16 years, joined by Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, and Brazil.

2002 – Hernan Crespo and Agustin Delgado (9 objectives every)

Hernan Crespo stepped up for Argentina as Gabriel Batistuta’s period wound down, whereas Agustin Delgado’s 9 objectives had been important in Ecuador’s first-ever World Cup qualification. Argentina and Ecuador had been joined by Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay (who superior through playoff) in South Korea and Japan.

2006 – Ronaldo (10 objectives)

Ronaldo is congratulated celebrates scoring his second purpose through the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Group F match. (Supply: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Pictures)

Ronaldo’s ten objectives underlined Brazil’s offensive energy, which included a number of prolific scorers. His hat-trick in opposition to Argentina was the spotlight of the marketing campaign. For the primary time, a reigning World Cup champion (Brazil) participated in qualifiers, they usually superior with Argentina, Ecuador, and Paraguay.

2010 – Humberto Suazo (10 objectives)

Humberto Suazo picks the ball out of the web through the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Spherical of Sixteen match. (Supply: Clive Mason/Getty Pictures)

Humberto “Chupete” Suazo scored ten objectives for Marcelo Bielsa’s Chile, serving because the workforce’s finisher in a system fueled by Alexis Sanchez and Matias Fernández. Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina superior straight, whereas Uruguay secured qualification after defeating Costa Rica within the playoff.

2014 – Luis Suarez (11 objectives)

Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring his workforce’s second purpose through the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match. (Supply: Julian Finney/Getty Pictures)

In peak kind, Luis Suarez delivered 11 objectives, together with a four-goal demolition of Chile. Messi adopted with 10, underscoring a star-studded period for CONMEBOL. Uruguay as soon as once more superior by means of the playoff, whereas Brazil (as host), Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador secured their locations.

2018 – Edinson Cavani (10 objectives)

Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring a purpose throughout a match a part of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Qualifiers. (Supply: Buda Mendes/Getty Pictures)

Edinson Cavani emerged as Uruguay’s key striker, scoring ten objectives to guide the area. His kind prolonged Uruguay’s golden period of forwards, constructing on the legacies of Suarez and Diego Forlan. Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia certified straight, with Peru returning to the World Cup by means of a playoff.

2022 – Marcelo Martins (10 objectives)

Marcelo Moreno Martins celebrates after scoring the primary purpose throughout a match a part of South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022. (Supply: Alberto Valdes – Pool/Getty Pictures)

Bolivia fell wanting qualification, however Marcelo Martins Moreno stood out because the area’s most prolific scorer with ten objectives. He outpaced Neymar and Suarez, who every completed with eight. Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, and Uruguay superior, whereas Peru narrowly missed out after a penalty shootout in opposition to Australia.

2026 qualifiers – Prime scorers as of matchday 17

The CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying marketing campaign continues to thrill followers, with acquainted legends extending their dominance and rising stars making their mark.

• Lionel Messi – Messi continues extending his file because the all-time main scorer in CONMEBOL qualifiers, combining expertise, imaginative and prescient, and medical ending to guide Argentina’s assault.
• Luis Diaz – He has emerged as Colombia’s most decisive attacker on this cycle, utilizing velocity, creativity, and composure to provide match-winning moments.
• Miguel Terceros – He has develop into Bolivia’s key offensive risk, persistently discovering the web and demonstrating an intuition for scoring in essential moments.
• Raphinha – His aptitude and sharp ending have helped Brazil keep their offensive dominance, proving his rising affect within the Seleção’s assault.
• Salomon Rondon – He gives each management and scoring means, guiding Venezuela with expertise and essential objectives in tight matches.
• Darwin Nuñez – He combines tempo, energy, and precision, turning into a relentless risk for Uruguay and a standout determine in South American qualifiers.
• Enner Valencia – He stays Ecuador’s talisman, utilizing instinctive positioning and composure to provide decisive objectives for La Tri.
• Julian Alvarez – He has added youth and power to Argentina’s frontline, scoring key objectives and complementing Messi’s management.
• Lautaro Martinez – His constant ending and aerial presence have made him an necessary contributor in high-stakes matches.
• Tony Sanabria – His attacking intuition and sharp positioning permit him to attain at essential moments, protecting Paraguay aggressive within the qualifiers.
• Rodrigo Aguirre – He gives versatility and opportunistic scoring, supporting Uruguay’s offensive depth.
• Thiago Almada – He has proven creativity and composure, offering each assists and objectives for Argentina’s evolving assault.
• Nicolas de la Cruz – He contributes essential objectives and playmaking, balancing Uruguay’s offensive technique.
• Julio Enciso – His attacking aptitude and composure make him certainly one of Paraguay’s standout performers.
• Nicolas Otamendi – Otamendi, primarily a defender, provides an aerial risk on set items, scoring necessary objectives for Argentina.
• Rodrygo – His velocity and technical means improve Brazil’s ahead choices, contributing key objectives in tight contests.
• Eduardo Vargas – He continues to be Chile’s dependable striker, combining expertise and ending means to maintain his nation aggressive.

*Provisional figures as much as Matchday 17 – to be up to date after the ultimate spherical in September 2025.

Notable lively gamers and nation leaders

Lionel Messi (Argentina) – Messi has cemented his legacy because the all-time main scorer in CONMEBOL qualifiers. Throughout a number of editions, his objectives have formed Argentina’s campaigns, from free kicks to decisive finishes. His consistency and influence illustrate the uncommon mixture of ability and longevity that defines a real soccer icon.

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James Rodriguez (Colombia) – James Rodriguez holds the file as Colombia’s prime scorer in World Cup qualifiers, surpassing Radamel Falcao. His decisive objectives and playmaking means have been essential in guiding Colombia by means of intense qualifying campaigns, demonstrating how particular person brilliance can drive nationwide success.

Neymar (Brazil) – Even earlier than his damage, Neymar’s influence on Brazil’s all-time qualifying totals was simple. His creativity, ending, and talent to vary video games single-handedly helped keep the Seleção’s offensive dominance in South America.

Version-by-edition prime scorers in South American World Cup qualifiers