Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in South America kicked off with six rounds last year, less than nine months after Lionel Messi and Argentina won the 2022 final in Qatar.

Since September, another six have been played, leaving the campaign two thirds complete. From now on, things are a little more spaced out with double-headers in late March, early June and mid-September.

So, after the latest frantic burst of matches, what are the big questions hanging over the teams as they prepare for their final push to reach the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

1st place: 25 points (goal difference, +14)

Is a glorious era coming to a close?

Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Peru took Argentina to 25 points. In all of the previous 10-team campaigns, that ha...