Top South American Goal Scorers in World Cup Qualifiers
South American football has produced some of the greatest players in history, and many have made their mark in the World Cup qualifiers. This ranking highlights the region’s top 15 goal scorers in qualifying, showcasing their prolific careers.
South America’s Footballing Giants
Regarding footballing talent, South America has a rich history of producing some of the sport’s most legendary players. The region has consistently dominated world football, and the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns are often a stage where its top stars shine brightest. The battle for goalscoring supremacy in South American qualifiers has seen fierce competition between some of the best players ever to grace the pitch.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the goals tally continues to grow, with some of South America’s finest strikers making their mark on the continent’s qualifying matches. The following ranking highlights the top 15 goal scorers in South American World Cup qualifying history, celebrating their contributions and achievements for their respective countries. From Argentina to Uruguay, these players have not only helped their nations qualify for football’s greatest tournament but have also left an indelible legacy in the history of South American football.
- Lionel Messi: Argentina’s All-Time Qualifying King
Goals: 34 in 69 games
Goals per game: 0.49
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, tops the list with 34 goals in South American World Cup qualifying matches. His incredible consistency and technical brilliance have made him indispensable to Argentina’s success over the years. Messi’s international career spans five World Cup qualifiers, with his first qualifying campaign in 2006 (which saw no goals) followed by a gradual increase in his goal-scoring tally.
Messi hit double digits in 2014 qualifying, scoring ten goals in 14 games, and continued his dominant form in subsequent campaigns. His performance in the 2018 and 2022 qualifiers saw him add crucial goals to Argentina’s campaigns, helping secure their places in the World Cup and guiding them to a Copa América title in 2021. His 2026 qualifying campaign is also off to a strong start, with six goals in just nine games. Messi’s ability to produce moments of magic when it matters most has solidified his status as South America’s ultimate goalscorer in World Cup qualifiers.
- Luis Suárez: Uruguay’s Prolific Striker
Goals: 29 in 60 games
Goals per game: 0.48
Luis Suárez, Uruguay’s all-time top scorer, ranks second in South American World Cup qualifying history with 29 goals. The Uruguayan forward’s tenacity, clinical finishing, and big-game performances have been key to his qualifier success. Suárez made his qualifying debut in 2010 and quickly became Uruguay’s go-to man in front of goal, scoring five goals in just 17 appearances.
His finest moment came in the 2014 qualifiers, where he scored 11 goals in 14 matches, leading Uruguay to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Though injuries have slowed him down recently, Suárez’s contributions in the 2022 qualifiers, where he netted eight goals, remain critical for his national team’s success. With a goal-scoring average close to 0.5 goals per game, Suárez’s impact on the international stage is undeniable.
- Marcelo Martins: Bolivia’s Goal-Scoring Hero
Goals: 23 in 64 games
Goals per game: 0.36
Marcelo Martins has been Bolivia’s talisman in World Cup qualifiers, ranking third on the list with 23 goals. The striker, known for his aerial ability and powerful shot, has been a fixture in Bolivia’s attack for over a decade. His career in qualifying began in 2010 when he scored seven goals in 15 games, and he continued to deliver for his country with consistent performances throughout the years.
Martins’ best qualifying campaign came in 2022, where he netted ten goals in 16 appearances, proving that age hasn’t slowed him down. His ability to find the back of the net in critical moments has made him one of Bolivia’s most important players in recent history. While Bolivia has struggled to qualify for recent World Cups, Martins’ contributions remain a bright spot in their qualifying campaigns.
- Alexis Sánchez: Chile’s Fearless Leader
Goals: 20 in 61 games
Goals per game: 0.33
Chile’s all-time top scorer, Alexis Sánchez, has constantly been in South American qualifying campaigns. With 20 goals in 61 qualifying appearances, Sánchez’s pace, creativity, and finishing ability have made him one of the continent’s most influential players. Known for his relentless work ethic and flair on the ball, Sánchez’s performances have been key to Chile’s success in the 2010s, including their back-to-back Copa América victories in 2015 and 2016.
Despite a quiet 2026 qualifying start, where he’s yet to score, Sánchez’s record in previous campaigns—three goals in 12 games in 2010, four in 12 2014, and seven 17 in 2018—speaks volumes about his consistency in the qualifiers. Sánchez’s legacy in South American football is firmly cemented, and his goal-scoring exploits in the qualifiers will remain remembered.
- Hernán Crespo: Argentina’s Clinical Finisher
Goals: 19 in 33 games
Goals per game: 0.58
With 19 goals in 33 appearances, Hernán Crespo’s goalscoring ratio of 0.58 per game places him among the most efficient strikers in World Cup qualifying history. Crespo, one of Argentina’s best-ever forwards, made a lasting impact during the qualifiers for the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. His clinical finishing ability in the box was unmatched, and he helped propel Argentina to qualification with his consistent goal-scoring in the 2002 and 2006 campaigns.
In the 2002 qualifiers, Crespo scored nine goals in 12 games, and in the 2006 campaign, he netted seven goals in 11 matches. Crespo’s sharp movement, deadly finishing, and leadership on the field made him one of the top goal scorers in South American qualifying.
- Marcelo Salas: Chile’s Iconic Striker
Goals: 18 in 32 games
Goals per game: 0.56
Marcelo Salas, one of Chile’s greatest-ever players, is another name synonymous with World Cup qualifying success. Salas scored 18 goals in just 32 qualifying matches, giving him an impressive goals-per-game ratio of 0.56. His striking prowess was crucial in Chile’s 1998 and 2002 qualifying campaigns. Salas hit double digits in the 1998 qualifiers, scoring 11 goals in 12 games, helping secure Chile’s place in the World Cup that year.
Salas’ powerful shots, clinical finishing, and ability to score in key moments made him a household name in South American football. Though his international career is now a thing of the past, his legacy lives on in Chilean football, where he remains an iconic figure.
- Ivan Zamorano: A True Chilean Legend
Goals: 17 in 24 games
Goals per game: 0.71
Regarding goals-per-game ratio, Chile’s Iván Zamorano is the most efficient player on this list, scoring 17 goals in just 24 appearances. Zamorano, a tireless forward with a knack for finding the back of the net, made his World Cup qualifying debut in 1990, and he left a lasting mark on Chile’s history. His finest qualifying performance came in 1998, where he scored an outstanding 12 goals in just ten matches, playing a crucial role in Chile’s qualification for France ’98.
Zamorano’s ferocity, versatility, and composure in front of goal have ensured his place as one of South America’s most respected goal scorers, and his remarkable strike rate continues to be one of the best in World Cup qualifying history.
- Edinson Cavani: Uruguay’s Reliable Striker
Goals: 17 in 47 games
Goals per game: 0.36
Edinson Cavani is another legendary striker who has left his mark in South American qualifiers. With 17 goals in 47 appearances, Cavani’s steady and reliable contributions have been crucial to Uruguay’s success in the World Cup qualifying campaigns. Though he didn’t score in the 2010 qualifiers, Cavani made up for it in the subsequent campaigns, with ten goals in 15 appearances for the 2018 qualifiers and eight in 14 games for the 2022 qualifiers.
Cavani’s combination of power, intelligence, and finishing has made him one of the most feared forwards in South America. As he continues to play in the 2026 qualifiers, Cavani is expected to cement further his place among the region’s all-time great goal scorers.
- Arturo Vidal: The Midfield Maestro with a Scoring Touch
Goals: 17 in 53 games
Goals per game: 0.32
While best known for his work in the midfield, Arturo Vidal’s contributions in World Cup qualifiers cannot be overlooked. With 17 goals in 53 appearances, Vidal has been a consistent threat from the center of the park, showcasing his ability to score from long-range shots and set-piece situations. Despite being more of a box-to-box midfielder, Vidal’s knack for getting into attacking positions and his fierce determination have made him one of Chile’s most valuable players in World Cup qualifiers.
Vidal’s best qualifying campaign came in 2014, where he scored five goals in 11 appearances, helping Chile secure a place in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. His versatility and leadership continue to play a vital role in Chile’s qualifying efforts.
Also Read: Legendary South American and Mexican Goalkeepers
A Legacy of South American Scoring Greats
South America has produced some of the most electrifying players in football history, and these top goal scorers in World Cup qualifying history are a testament to the region’s rich footballing tradition. From the technical brilliance of Messi to the explosive finishing of Suárez, these players have lit up the qualifiers for decades, ensuring their countries remain competitive on the global stage. As the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup progress, it will be exciting to see who rises to the top and how these legends of South American football continue to add to their already impressive goal tallies.
