Sports
CONMEBOL Qualifiers Table: Complete Guide to South American World Cup Qualification
Introduction
Every four years, South America’s fiercest football rivalries play out not just on the pitch, but in a table that decides who gets to go to the World Cup. The CONMEBOL qualifiers table is one of the most-watched standings in global football — and for good reason. With only ten nations competing for six direct spots and a single playoff berth, every point, every goal, and every result carries enormous weight.
Whether you’re trying to understand how Argentina dominated their way to the top, why Brazil had fans sweating despite their pedigree, or what the numbers in each column actually mean, this guide breaks it all down clearly and completely.
What Is the CONMEBOL Qualifiers Table?
The CONMEBOL qualifiers table is the official standings for the South American section of FIFA World Cup qualification. It ranks all ten CONMEBOL member nations — Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela — based on points earned across a home-and-away round-robin campaign.
Ten teams compete in a single league format, playing each other home and away. The top six teams qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the seventh-placed side enters the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
This format makes CONMEBOL qualifying uniquely brutal. Unlike UEFA, where dozens of teams are split into separate groups, South American teams must beat each other directly — no easy group draw, no avoiding the heavyweights.
The Final 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers Table
The 2026 CONMEBOL qualifying campaign ran from 7 September 2023 to 9 September 2025, spanning 90 matches with 183 goals scored. Lionel Messi finished as the top scorer with 8 goals.
Here are the final standings after all 18 matchdays:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 18 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 31 | 10 | +21 | 38 | Qualified |
| 2 | Ecuador | 18 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 29 | Qualified |
| 3 | Colombia | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 28 | 18 | +10 | 28 | Qualified |
| 4 | Uruguay | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 22 | 12 | +10 | 28 | Qualified |
| 5 | Brazil | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 24 | 17 | +7 | 28 | Qualified |
| 6 | Paraguay | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 28 | Qualified |
| 7 | Bolivia | 18 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 17 | 35 | -18 | 20 | Playoffs |
| 8 | Venezuela | 18 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 18 | Eliminated |
| 9 | Peru | 18 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 21 | -15 | 12 | Eliminated |
| 10 | Chile | 18 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 9 | 27 | -18 | 11 | Eliminated |
How to Read the CONMEBOL Qualifiers Table
Each column in the table tells a specific story about how a team performed. Here’s what each one means:
P (Played): Total matches played. Every team played 18 games — one home and one away against each of the nine opponents.
W (Won): Matches where the team scored more goals than the opponent. A win earns 3 points.
D (Drawn): Matches that ended level. A draw earns 1 point for each team.
L (Lost): Matches where the team conceded more goals than they scored. A loss earns 0 points.
GF (Goals For): Total goals a team scored across all 18 matches. Higher is generally better.
GA (Goals Against): Total goals conceded. Lower is better — a tight defense keeps teams in contention even during goal droughts.
GD (Goal Difference): Goals scored minus goals conceded. This becomes crucial when teams are level on points, as it’s one of the first tiebreakers used.
Pts (Points): The most important column. Points determine final standings, with 3 for a win and 1 for a draw.
The CONMEBOL Qualifying Format Explained
All 10 CONMEBOL teams are placed into a single group and play in a double round-robin home-and-away format. The top six teams advance to the FIFA World Cup, and the 7th-place team qualifies for the Intercontinental Playoffs. The bottom three teams are eliminated.
This format has been used for multiple World Cup cycles, and it’s well-regarded in football because it creates a true meritocracy. There are no group stage upsets that protect weaker teams. Every match counts against every rival.
The qualification structure remained the same as in previous editions despite the increase of slots available to CONMEBOL teams, with each team playing each other team twice in a home-and-away round-robin format.
The increase from five to six automatic berths for the 2026 cycle reflected the expansion of the World Cup itself — going from 32 to 48 teams overall gave South America one extra guaranteed spot.
How Tiebreakers Work in the CONMEBOL Table
When teams finish with the same number of points, the table doesn’t simply flip a coin. Tie-breaking procedures are applied in the following order: overall goal difference, overall goals scored, greatest number of points obtained in matches between the tied teams, goal difference in matches between the tied teams, greatest number of goals scored in matches between the tied teams, and greatest number of goals scored away from home.
This matters enormously in practice. In the 2026 qualifying table, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay all finished on 28 points. Goal difference, head-to-head records, and goals scored determined who finished 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th — all of which still secured direct qualification, but the ordering matters for seeding purposes in the World Cup draw.
Team-by-Team Breakdown
Argentina — 1st Place (38 Points)
Argentina qualified first, fitting given their status as the reigning World Cup champions. Lionel Messi continued to deliver goals even as Lionel Scaloni managed his minutes carefully throughout the campaign.
Their 38 points were nine clear of second place — a dominant margin that reflected both tactical discipline and Messi’s continued brilliance. Argentina lost just four games and conceded only 10 goals in 18 matches, giving them the best defensive record in the group.
Ecuador — 2nd Place (29 Points)
Ecuador started with a three-point deduction due to Byron Castillo’s eligibility issues from the previous cycle but rallied to secure their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup under head coach Sebastián Beccacece.
Finishing second with 29 points despite beginning the campaign at -3 is one of the more remarkable stories of this qualifying round. Ecuador’s eight draws and rock-solid defensive record (only 5 goals conceded — the best in the group) made them a genuinely hard team to beat.
Colombia — 3rd Place (28 Points)
During the first half of the CONMEBOL qualifiers, Colombia emerged as a formidable contender to challenge Argentina for the top spot. They were attacking and creative, scoring 28 goals in 18 matches — the second-highest total in the group. A mid-campaign dip dropped them from potential top-two contention, but they never slipped out of automatic qualification range.
Uruguay — 4th Place (28 Points)
Under Marcelo Bielsa’s demanding style, Uruguay were competitive throughout. Bielsa’s Uruguay were dangerous, and they secured automatic qualification on Matchday 17. Their 22 goals scored and 12 conceded reflects a balanced side that rarely had off nights at either end.
Brazil — 5th Place (28 Points)
Brazil’s campaign was the most turbulent of the qualified teams. Brazil recovered after a slow start that included a heavy and humbling defeat at Argentina in March, a result that served as a real wake-up call — manager Dorival Junior was fired and replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. The injury-hit side never really looked convincing during qualification but still secured their World Cup spot.
Eight wins and 24 goals underline that Brazil always had the quality — consistency was the issue.
Paraguay — 6th Place (28 Points)
Paraguay’s campaign was defined by defensive solidity and efficiency. They conceded only 10 goals in 18 matches and ground out results when it mattered. Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Paraguay secured their positions in the tournament, echoing the rising competitive spirit in South America.
Bolivia — 7th Place (20 Points) — Playoff
Bolivia made it to the inter-continental playoff, winning their last game against Brazil in a dramatic Matchday 18 finish. Their -18 goal difference tells the story of a team that struggled against the top nations but fought hard enough to keep their World Cup dream alive through the playoff route. Bolivia secured the FIFA Play-Off Tournament berth but were beaten by Iraq in the final in March 2026.
Venezuela — 8th Place (18 Points)
Venezuela’s six draws highlight a side that was difficult to beat but lacked the firepower to turn draws into wins. They missed the playoff spot by just two points after Bolivia’s last-day victory against Brazil ended their chances.
Peru — 9th Place (12 Points)
Peru’s campaign was deeply disappointing by their own standards. Only 6 goals scored in 18 matches — fewer than any other team — exposed a chronic attacking problem. Their six draws salvaged some dignity, but elimination was confirmed well before the final matchday.
Chile — 10th Place (11 Points)
Chile and Peru stood as the national teams eliminated from the competition. Chile’s 11 points from 18 games represents their worst qualifying campaign in recent memory for a nation that appeared at four consecutive World Cups between 2010 and 2022.
Why the CONMEBOL Table Is Different from Other Confederations
Most confederations use group stages to whittle down large numbers of teams. CONMEBOL does the opposite — it throws everyone together in one table from day one.
This creates several dynamics you won’t find elsewhere:
No hiding from the best. Teams cannot avoid facing Argentina or Brazil. Every side plays every other twice, which means true quality rises to the top over time.
Every matchday matters. With no group stage reset, a bad run of three or four games can derail a campaign that seemed comfortable. Brazil’s early struggles in 2026 qualifying are a prime example.
Home altitude is a genuine weapon. Bolivia’s matches in La Paz, played at over 3,600 meters above sea level, are historically difficult for visiting teams regardless of quality. This quirk of geography plays a real role in results.
The playoff drama is real. The seventh-place team has a final chance through the intercontinental playoff, which creates genuine tension on the final matchday when teams on the edge are fighting not to finish eighth.
Common Misconceptions About the CONMEBOL Qualifiers
The table resets after a certain phase
It doesn’t. Unlike European or Asian qualifying, there are no rounds or groups — the same 10 teams play each other over the full 18-matchday campaign. The table you see on day one is the same table that determines who qualifies on the final day.
Goal difference doesn’t matter much
In a table where four teams can finish on identical points — as happened in 2026 qualifying — goal difference becomes critical. It’s the first tiebreaker after points.
Teams always qualify easily if they’re in the top six early
Not necessarily. Brazil spent significant time in a precarious position during the 2026 cycle, and had things gone differently on the final matchday, the story could have been very different. No lead is truly safe until the mathematics make elimination impossible.
Ecuador’s deducted points put them at a permanent disadvantage
Ecuador were deducted 3 points and given a CHF 100,000 fine for falsifying birth documents for Byron Castillo in the previous World Cup qualification cycle. Despite starting at -3, they finished second in the table. The deduction was painful early on but didn’t ultimately prevent them from qualifying comfortably.
Key Facts About the 2026 CONMEBOL Qualifiers
- 90 matches were played in total across the campaign, with 183 goals scored at an average of 2.03 per match.
- Total attendance across all 18 matchdays reached 3,437,526 — an average of 38,195 fans per match.
- Lionel Messi finished as the top scorer with 8 goals.
- Argentina’s 38 points is one of the highest totals ever recorded in a CONMEBOL qualifying campaign.
- Four teams — Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay — all finished on exactly 28 points.
- Argentina were the first team from the confederation to qualify, securing their spot on 25 March when Bolivia drew 0-0 with Uruguay.
- Brazil and Ecuador joined the qualification party with positive results on the third-to-last matchday on 10 June 2025. Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay completed the automatic qualifiers on 4 September 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many teams qualify from CONMEBOL for the World Cup?
Ans: Six teams qualify automatically for the World Cup, with the seventh-placed side entering the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. This means South America can potentially send seven teams to the final tournament if their playoff representative also wins through.
Q2: How does the CONMEBOL qualifying format work?
Ans: Ten teams are placed into a single group and play a double round-robin home-and-away format. Each match win grants 3 points, a draw grants 1 point, and a loss grants 0 points. All 18 matchdays are played over roughly two years.
Q3: When did the 2026 CONMEBOL qualifiers start and end?
Ans: The qualifying campaign ran from 7 September 2023 to 9 September 2025.
Q4: What happens if teams are tied on points?
Ans: The tiebreaker order starts with goal difference, then total goals scored, then head-to-head points, followed by head-to-head goal difference and goals scored in head-to-head matches. Further tiebreakers include away goals and fair play records.
Q5: Which teams were eliminated from the 2026 CONMEBOL qualifiers?
Ans: The bottom three teams — Venezuela (8th), Peru (9th), and Chile (10th) — were eliminated from the competition.
Q6: Did Brazil qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Ans: Yes. Brazil qualified automatically in fifth place with 28 points, despite a difficult campaign that included a managerial change.
Q7: What is the intercontinental playoff in CONMEBOL qualifying?
Ans: The seventh-placed team in the CONMEBOL table enters a multi-confederation playoff tournament that gives nations from different regions one more chance to reach the World Cup. Bolivia earned that spot in 2026 qualifying.
Key Takeaways
- The CONMEBOL qualifiers table ranks all 10 South American nations across an 18-match home-and-away campaign — no groups, no rounds.
- The top 6 teams qualify directly for the World Cup; 7th place enters an intercontinental playoff; places 8 through 10 are eliminated.
- Argentina dominated the 2026 qualifying cycle with 38 points, finishing 9 points ahead of second-placed Ecuador.
- Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Paraguay all finished on 28 points, with goal difference and head-to-head records separating them.
- Ecuador started the campaign with a 3-point deduction yet still qualified in second place.
- Bolivia claimed the playoff spot on the final matchday but were ultimately eliminated in the inter-confederation playoff.
- Chile and Peru, two historically competitive South American nations, failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Conclusion
The CONMEBOL qualifiers table is the most straightforward yet unforgiving qualification system in world football. Every South American nation faces every other in a single unified league, with no protection from the continent’s heavyweights. The 2026 qualifying cycle produced expected results at the top — Argentina and Ecuador leading the way — but genuine drama throughout the rest of the table, with four teams deadlocked on 28 points and Bolivia snatching the playoff spot on the very last matchday.
Understanding what each column means, how tiebreakers work, and why this format differs from other confederations helps you follow the action with real context. The CONMEBOL table isn’t just a set of numbers — it’s the story of South American football over two years of competition.
Sports
Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL Timeline: Every Meeting So Far
Two clubs, two different footballing worlds, and two matches that have already produced enough drama to make this one of the more closely watched fixtures in North American soccer. Inter Miami and Tigres UANL have only met twice, but both games ended 2-1, both were decided late, and both carried real stakes in the Leagues Cup. Here’s the full timeline of what’s happened so far.
Direct Answer: What Is the Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL Timeline?
The Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL timeline covers two competitive matches, both played in the Leagues Cup, the annual tournament pitting MLS clubs against Liga MX clubs. Tigres won the first meeting 2-1 in the 2024 group stage, while Inter Miami won the rematch 2-1 in the 2025 quarterfinal. The overall head-to-head record stands at one win apiece, with no draws, making it one of the most evenly balanced young rivalries in the sport.
Background: Why This Matchup Draws Attention
Inter Miami and Tigres UANL come from very different footballing traditions, and that contrast is part of what makes their meetings compelling. Inter Miami, an MLS club owned by an ownership group led by David Beckham, had limited international profile before Lionel Messi’s arrival in July 2023 fundamentally changed the club’s visibility overnight.
Tigres UANL, based in the Monterrey metropolitan area and playing home matches at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, carries a very different kind of weight. With eight Liga MX championships and a 2020 CONCACAF Champions League title, Tigres entered this rivalry as an established continental heavyweight, not a club still building its reputation.
The Leagues Cup, which brings every MLS and Liga MX club into a shared mid-season tournament, has become the primary stage for this dynamic to play out, turning a fixture between two clubs with no traditional rivalry into a genuine measuring stick for MLS ambition against Liga MX’s tactical depth.
Match One: 2024 Leagues Cup Group Stage
The first official meeting between the two clubs took place on August 3, 2024, at NRG Stadium in Houston, during the Leagues Cup group stage.
Tigres controlled much of the early tempo, and that patience paid off in the 18th minute, when Juan Brunetta opened the scoring with a composed finish. Inter Miami responded in the 74th minute, with Leonardo Campana converting from the penalty spot to level the match at 1-1. The equalizer didn’t hold. In the 84th minute, Juan Pablo Vigón restored Tigres’ lead, and the match finished 2-1 in Tigres’ favor.
Notably, Lionel Messi did not feature in this match due to an ankle injury, and Luis Suárez remained on the bench throughout. The absence of Inter Miami’s biggest attacking names shaped how the match unfolded, with Tigres able to control large stretches of the game against a Miami side missing key attacking options.
Match Two: 2025 Leagues Cup Quarterfinal
The rematch came roughly a year later, in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinal, played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami’s home ground.
This match swung several times. Inter Miami took an early lead in the 23rd minute, when Luis Suárez converted a penalty to make it 1-0. Tigres answered in the 67th minute, with Ángel Correa beating goalkeeper Óscar Ustari to level the score at 1-1, continuing a strong individual tournament for Correa, who had scored four goals across the earlier phase of the 2025 Leagues Cup.
The decisive moment came in the 89th minute. Tigres pushed for a late equalizer, and a header from Edgar López in stoppage time struck both posts without going in, allowing Miami to hold on for the win.
As in the first meeting, Lionel Messi didn’t play, this time due to a muscle injury rather than the ankle issue from 2024. The victory sent Inter Miami through to the Leagues Cup 2025 semifinals and ended Tigres’ run in that year’s tournament.
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on both official meetings to date, the record between the two clubs is closely balanced:
- Total meetings: 2
- Inter Miami wins: 1 (2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinal, 2-1)
- Tigres UANL wins: 1 (2024 Leagues Cup group stage, 2-1)
- Draws: 0
- Competition: Both matches played in the Leagues Cup
Key Players in the Rivalry So Far
A few individual performances have defined both matches played to date.
Luis Suárez (Inter Miami)
Suárez has been the decisive figure in the head-to-head so far, scoring both of Inter Miami’s goals in the 2025 quarterfinal, both converted from the penalty spot under pressure in a knockout-stage match.
Ángel Correa (Tigres UANL)
Correa has established himself as one of Tigres’ most dangerous attacking threats in these meetings, scoring the equalizer in the 2025 match as part of a broader strong run of form in that tournament.
Juan Pablo Vigón and Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL)
Both players were directly involved in Tigres’ 2024 win, with Brunetta opening the scoring and Vigón netting the eventual match-winner.
Leonardo Campana (Inter Miami)
Campana scored Miami’s lone goal in the 2024 meeting, converting from the penalty spot to briefly level the match before Tigres retook the lead.
One recurring storyline worth noting: Lionel Messi has missed both matches between these two clubs, first due to an ankle injury in 2024, then due to a muscle issue in 2025, meaning a Messi appearance against Tigres remains something fans of both clubs haven’t yet seen.
What’s Next for This Matchup
As of the most recent Leagues Cup cycle, no future match between Inter Miami and Tigres UANL has been formally scheduled. Because the Leagues Cup runs annually and both clubs have consistently qualified for the tournament, another meeting between the two is a realistic possibility in a future edition, though the specific timing depends on tournament seeding and results in earlier rounds.
Good to Know
Both matches have been decided by narrow, late margins. Neither game has been a comfortable result for either side, both finished 2-1, and both featured a decisive goal in the final 15 minutes or stoppage time.
Penalties have played an outsized role. Three of the four total goals scored across both matches have come from the penalty spot, a detail that’s shaped how each match’s turning points unfolded.
The rivalry predates a long shared history. Unlike longstanding regional rivalries, this matchup has only existed since 2024, meaning the “timeline” is still in its early chapters, with plenty of room for the head-to-head record to develop further.
Key Facts
- Inter Miami and Tigres UANL have met twice, both times in the Leagues Cup.
- The 2024 group stage match, played August 3, 2024, in Houston, ended 2-1 to Tigres.
- The 2025 quarterfinal, played at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, ended 2-1 to Inter Miami.
- The head-to-head record stands at one win each, with no draws.
- Lionel Messi has missed both matches due to injury.
- Luis Suárez has scored both of Inter Miami’s goals in the head-to-head so far, both penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who has won more matches between Inter Miami and Tigres UANL?
Ans: The record is even, with one win for each club across two total meetings, both decided by a 2-1 scoreline.
Q2: Has Lionel Messi ever played against Tigres UANL?
Ans: No. Messi missed both meetings due to injury, an ankle issue in 2024 and a muscle injury in 2025.
Q3: What competition have Inter Miami and Tigres UANL played each other in?
Ans: Both matches have taken place in the Leagues Cup, the annual tournament featuring clubs from MLS and Liga MX.
Q4: Who scored the winning goal in each match?
Ans: Juan Pablo Vigón scored the decisive goal for Tigres in the 2024 meeting, while Luis Suárez scored the winning penalty for Inter Miami in the 2025 quarterfinal.
Q5: Is there a traditional rivalry between these two clubs?
Ans: No long-standing rivalry existed before 2024. The current dynamic has developed specifically through their Leagues Cup meetings since then.
Q6: Will Inter Miami and Tigres UANL play again?
Ans: No future match is currently scheduled, but since both clubs regularly qualify for the Leagues Cup, another meeting is considered likely in a future edition of the tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Inter Miami and Tigres UANL have played twice, both in the Leagues Cup, with each side winning once by a 2-1 scoreline.
- Tigres won the first meeting in 2024; Inter Miami won the rematch in the 2025 quarterfinal.
- Luis Suárez has been the decisive figure for Inter Miami, scoring both of the club’s goals in the head-to-head via penalties.
- Lionel Messi has missed both matches to date due to injury.
In Short
Two matches, two 2-1 results, and one win apiece, the Inter Miami vs Tigres UANL series has managed to pack plenty of drama into a short history. With Messi yet to feature in either match and both clubs likely to keep crossing paths in future Leagues Cup editions, this remains a rivalry very much in its opening chapters.
Sports
Missouri vs Howard: Inside the 2025-26 Season Opener
When people search “Missouri vs Howard,” they’re usually looking for the men’s college basketball matchup between the Missouri Tigers and the Howard Bison, played on November 3, 2025, at Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C. It was the season opener for both programs, and it turned into a historically strong road win for Missouri.
This article walks through what happened in the game, why the result mattered, and how each team performed individually.
Direct Answer
Missouri defeated Howard 88-67 on November 3, 2025, at Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C., to open the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season for both teams. Shawn Phillips Jr. led Missouri with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Howard’s Bryce Harris scored a game-high 27 points. The win marked Missouri’s largest road victory in a season opener in 84 years.
Background: A Notable Road Trip for Missouri
Missouri came into the game fresh off a 22-12 season under head coach Dennis Gates, a campaign that included a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the program’s best seeding since 2012. Rather than opening at home, as most programs do, Missouri chose to open on the road at Howard, marking the second straight year the Tigers started their season away from Columbia.
The trip carried some extra weight. Missouri had not won a season-opening road game since 2003, and the program hadn’t posted this large of a road win to open a season in 84 years, dating back to a 52-29 victory over Saint Louis in the 1941-42 season. It also marked the first time in the two programs’ history that Missouri played a true road game against Howard; 20 of the previous 21 meetings between the schools had been played in Columbia, with one additional neutral-site game at an NCAA Tournament.
Missouri also had to manage some early-season injury concerns. Forwards Trent Pierce, Annor Boateng, and Trent Burns were all ruled out with lower-body injuries, meaning the Tigers opened the year without three players who had been expected to contribute.
How the Game Unfolded
Missouri Takes Control Early
Missouri won the opening tip and got on the board quickly, with Sebastian Mack finding Shawn Phillips Jr. inside for an early basket. Howard answered on its first possession, but Missouri responded with a burst of scoring, including a dunk from Mark Mitchell and a three-pointer from Jevon Porter, to push the lead to 11-5 early in the first half.
From there, Missouri kept building. A 16-5 scoring run stretched the Tigers’ lead further, and by the halfway point of the first half, Missouri had extended its advantage into double digits and kept adding to it through good ball movement and efficient shooting.
Howard Mounts a Second-Half Push
Missouri carried its lead into the break and came out of halftime looking to extend it, stretching the margin to 20 points early in the second half at 46-26. Howard wasn’t finished, though. The Bison put together a 20-9 run, shooting an efficient 7 of 9 from the field, including all six of their three-point attempts during that stretch, to cut Missouri’s lead down to nine points at 55-46.
That was as close as Howard would get. Missouri answered immediately with a 14-3 run of its own, shooting 6 of 9 from the field and 2 of 3 from three-point range, to push the lead back out to 21 points at 72-51. From that point forward, Missouri controlled the pace and cruised to the finish, closing out an 88-67 win.
Key Individual Performances
Shawn Phillips Jr., playing his first game in a Missouri uniform after transferring in, led the Tigers with a double-double: 16 points and 11 rebounds. He was remarkably efficient, making 8 of 9 field-goal attempts.
Jayden Stone added 13 points for Missouri, connecting on 3 of 4 attempts from three-point range, while Jacob Crews chipped in 10 points off the bench. T.O. Barrett paced the Tigers with four assists, and Anthony Robinson II led the team defensively with three steals.
As a team, Missouri shot an efficient 55.7 percent from the field, including 52.6 percent (10 of 19) from three-point range. The Tigers also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Howard 47-28, and controlled the interior with a 46-16 advantage in points in the paint.
For Howard, Bryce Harris put together the best individual performance of the night, scoring a game-high 27 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point range, while adding four rebounds and four assists. Alex Cotton also had a strong offensive night, scoring 20 points on 6-of-12 three-point shooting. Despite those individual performances, Howard shot just 35.5 percent from the field as a team, which made it difficult to sustain any long stretch of offensive success against Missouri’s defense and rebounding advantage.
Why the Game Turned Out the Way It Did
A few factors explain the final margin:
Missouri’s three-point shooting was extremely efficient. Making 10 of 19 attempts from beyond the arc gave Howard’s defense little room to key in on any single area of the floor.
Rebounding and interior scoring created a wide gap. Missouri’s 47-28 rebounding advantage, paired with a 46-16 edge in points in the paint, meant Howard had to work far harder for each possession while Missouri generated easier looks close to the basket.
Missouri answered every Howard run. When Howard cut the deficit to nine points in the second half, Missouri immediately responded with its own scoring run rather than letting the game stay close, which shut down any real chance of a comeback.
Depth mattered for Missouri. With four different players in double figures and contributions spread across the roster, Howard couldn’t focus its defensive game plan on stopping just one or two scorers.
Common Misconceptions About This Matchup
Misconception: This was a typical, low-stakes season opener. While season openers are often unremarkable, this particular result set records. It was Missouri’s largest road win in a season opener in 84 years and the program’s first road win in a season opener since 2003.
Misconception: Howard didn’t compete in the game. Howard actually mounted a real second-half push, cutting a 20-point deficit down to nine points with an efficient shooting run. The game only pulled away again after Missouri answered that run directly.
Misconception: This was a “normal” road game for Missouri against Howard. Historically, the two programs had met almost exclusively in Columbia. This was the first true road game between the schools, making the size of Missouri’s win even more notable given the unfamiliar environment.
Key Facts
- Final score: Missouri 88, Howard 67
- Date: November 3, 2025
- Location: Burr Gymnasium, Washington, D.C.
- Occasion: Season opener for both teams
- Missouri’s record after the game: 1-0
- Howard’s record after the game: 0-1
- Leading scorer: Bryce Harris, Howard, 27 points
- Missouri’s double-double: Shawn Phillips Jr., 16 points and 11 rebounds
- Missouri shooting: 55.7% from the field, 52.6% from three-point range
- Rebounding margin: Missouri 47, Howard 28
- Points in the paint: Missouri 46, Howard 16
- Historical note: Missouri’s largest road win in a season opener in 84 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What was the final score of Missouri vs Howard?
Ans: Missouri won 88-67 in their November 3, 2025 season opener at Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C.
Q2: Who led all scorers in the game?
Ans: Howard’s Bryce Harris led all scorers with 27 points, while Missouri’s Shawn Phillips Jr. recorded a team-high double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Q3: Where was the game played?
Ans: The game was played at Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C., Howard’s home arena, marking Missouri’s first true road game in the series.
Q4: Why was this considered a historic win for Missouri?
Ans: It was Missouri’s largest road win in a season opener in 84 years, dating back to a 1941-42 victory over Saint Louis, and the program’s first road win in a season opener since 2003.
Q5: Did Howard have any chance in the game?
Ans: Yes. Howard cut a 20-point deficit down to nine points in the second half with an efficient shooting run before Missouri answered with a run of its own to close out the win.
Q6: Was Missouri at full strength for this game?
Ans: No. Forwards Trent Pierce, Annor Boateng, and Trent Burns were all ruled out with lower-body injuries heading into the season opener.
Q7: What came next for each team?
Ans: Missouri returned home to Columbia for its home opener, while Howard continued its home slate at Burr Gymnasium against UDC.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri defeated Howard 88-67 on November 3, 2025, in the season opener for both teams.
- The game was played at Burr Gymnasium in Washington, D.C., marking Missouri’s first true road game in the series history.
- Shawn Phillips Jr. recorded a double-double for Missouri with 16 points and 11 rebounds in his Tigers debut.
- Howard’s Bryce Harris led all scorers with 27 points, but the Bison shot just 35.5% from the field as a team.
- Missouri shot 55.7% from the field and out-rebounded Howard 47-28.
- The win marked Missouri’s largest road victory in a season opener in 84 years.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 season opener between Missouri vs Howard delivered a historically strong result for the Tigers, who overcame a late Howard push to secure an 88-67 road win. Efficient shooting, rebounding dominance, and a balanced scoring effort defined Missouri’s performance, while Howard’s Bryce Harris and Alex Cotton provided bright spots in an otherwise difficult night for the Bison. For Missouri, the result set an early tone for a season that began on the road with one of the program’s most impressive opening-night performances in decades.
Sports
Maxx Crosby Contract: Terms, Value, and What’s Next
Introduction
Maxx Crosby has spent his entire career with the Las Vegas Raiders, and his contract has become one of the more closely watched deals in the NFL, partly because of its size and partly because of how much drama has surrounded it since it was signed. Readers searching for details on the Maxx Crosby contract usually want to know the numbers, how it compares to other pass rushers, and whether recent injury and trade rumors put his future with the Raiders in question.
This article breaks down the terms of his current deal, the history behind it, and where things stand heading into the 2026 season.
Direct Answer: What Is Maxx Crosby Contract?
Maxx Crosby signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2025, including $91.5 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $35.5 million. The deal made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league at signing. His base salaries for 2025 and 2026 were fully guaranteed at $32.5 million and $30 million, while his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed only if he’s on the roster early in the 2026 league year.
Background: How Crosby Got Here
The Raiders drafted Crosby in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Eastern Michigan, a relatively low-profile pick who developed into one of the league’s most productive edge rushers. His first extension came in March 2022, a four-year deal worth just under $99 million. That contract still had two years remaining when the Raiders decided to renegotiate again in 2025, largely because Crosby’s production had outpaced his existing salary.
Before the 2025 extension, Crosby had two years left on his 2022 deal, with base salaries of $22.2 million in 2025 and $18.8 million in 2026, but none of that remaining money was guaranteed. The new deal changed that significantly.
Contract Terms Explained
Total Value and Guarantees
The March 2025 extension is a three-year deal worth $106.5 million, with $91.5 million fully guaranteed. That guarantee level was notable at the time because it gave Crosby long-term security rather than year-to-year risk, which is unusual for a player already several years into his career.
Average Annual Salary
Crosby’s contract carries an average annual value of $35.5 million, which briefly made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. That distinction didn’t last long, since other top pass rushers around the league, including Myles Garrett, signed even larger deals within days of Crosby’s extension.
Year-by-Year Breakdown
In 2026, Crosby is set to earn a base salary of $30 million, fully guaranteed, with a salary cap hit of roughly $35.8 million. That cap number represents close to 12 percent of the Raiders’ total salary cap for the season. His 2027 salary of $29 million is currently guaranteed only for injury, but it becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on the Raiders’ roster on the third day of the 2026 league year.
Why This Contract Matters
Crosby’s deal matters for a few reasons beyond the raw dollar figures. First, it reflects how the market for elite pass rushers has shifted, with teams increasingly willing to offer near-full guarantees to keep top defensive talent rather than let them approach free agency. Second, it ties directly into the Raiders’ broader roster planning, since a cap hit this large limits flexibility elsewhere on the roster.
There’s also a performance angle. Some analysts have pointed out that Crosby’s sack totals dipped in the two seasons before signing the extension compared to his 2022 and 2023 peak, which has led to debate over whether the deal will age well. Others argue that sacks alone don’t capture his value, noting his consistently high tackles-for-loss numbers as a better measure of his overall impact.
Recent Developments: Injury and Trade Speculation
Crosby’s contract situation became more complicated during the 2025 season. He played through a left knee injury starting in October, and the Raiders placed him on injured reserve in late December to end his season early, a decision Crosby reportedly disagreed with at the time. He underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in early January 2026.
In March 2026, the Raiders and Baltimore Ravens reportedly agreed to a trade sending Crosby to Baltimore, but the Ravens pulled out of the deal after Crosby did not pass their physical, with reports citing durability concerns tied to his knee. Following the collapsed trade, Crosby returned to the Raiders organization, and both sides have since described the situation as resolved, with Crosby stating he wants to remain in Las Vegas. By mid-2026, Crosby reported that his recovery was ahead of schedule, with an expected return to full participation in time for training camp.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Assuming the entire contract is guaranteed. Only $91.5 million of the $106.5 million total is guaranteed. The 2027 salary is currently guaranteed for injury only, and full guarantee depends on roster status early in the 2026 league year.
Confusing his 2022 extension with his 2025 extension. Crosby has signed two separate extensions with the Raiders. The 2022 deal was worth roughly $99 million over four years; the 2025 deal replaced the remaining years of that contract with new, larger terms.
Assuming the failed Ravens trade voided his contract. The trade falling through didn’t change the terms of Crosby’s existing deal with the Raiders. He remains under contract with Las Vegas under the same 2025 extension terms.
Believing cap hit and salary are the same number. Crosby’s 2026 base salary is $30 million, but his cap hit is higher, around $35.8 million, because cap accounting spreads signing bonus money and other contract elements across multiple seasons.
Real-World Example: How the Deal Affects Roster Building
When the Raiders signed offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum and other free agents during the 2026 offseason, Crosby’s $35.8 million cap hit was already factored into how much room the team had left to spend. Because his number represents such a large share of the total cap, decisions about extending or trading other players often get discussed in relation to Crosby’s contract, since it’s the single largest commitment on the roster.
Key Facts About the Maxx Crosby Contract
- Three-year extension signed March 5, 2025, worth $106.5 million total.
- $91.5 million of the deal is fully guaranteed.
- Average annual salary of $35.5 million, briefly the highest among non-quarterbacks in NFL history.
- 2025 and 2026 base salaries were fully guaranteed at $32.5 million and $30 million.
- 2027 salary of $29 million is currently guaranteed for injury only.
- Crosby’s 2026 cap hit is approximately $35.8 million, close to 12 percent of the Raiders’ total cap space.
- A March 2026 trade to the Baltimore Ravens fell through after Crosby did not pass a physical related to his knee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much is Maxx Crosby contract worth?
Ans: His current deal with the Raiders is a three-year extension worth $106.5 million, including $91.5 million guaranteed.
Q2: Is Maxx Crosby the highest-paid defensive player in the league?
Ans: He was briefly the highest-paid non-quarterback by average annual value when he signed in March 2025, but several other pass rushers have since signed larger deals, moving Crosby down the rankings.
Q3: Why did the Ravens trade for Maxx Crosby fall through?
Ans: Reports indicate the Ravens backed out after Crosby did not pass their physical, with concerns tied to durability issues connected to his knee injury and subsequent surgery.
Q4: Is Maxx Crosby still with the Raiders?
Ans: Yes. Following the collapsed trade, Crosby returned to the Raiders organization and has stated he intends to remain with the team.
Q5: What happens to his contract if he gets traded in the future?
Ans: If traded, Crosby’s existing contract terms would generally transfer to the new team, though trade agreements can sometimes include restructured terms depending on what both teams negotiate.
Q6: Is his 2027 salary guaranteed?
Ans: Only for injury at this time. It becomes fully guaranteed if Crosby is on the Raiders’ roster on the third day of the 2026 league year.
Key Takeaways
- Crosby’s current deal is a three-year, $106.5 million extension signed in March 2025, with $91.5 million guaranteed.
- The contract made him briefly the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
- His 2026 cap hit of about $35.8 million represents a significant share of the Raiders’ total cap space.
- A trade to the Ravens in March 2026 fell through due to physical concerns related to his knee.
- Crosby has since returned to the Raiders and expects to be ready for the 2026 season.
Conclusion
Maxx Crosby’s contract reflects both his standing as one of the league’s top pass rushers and the financial risk teams take on when committing significant guaranteed money to a player in his late twenties. Between the size of the deal, the injury history, and the trade speculation that followed, his situation offers a clear look at how modern NFL contracts are structured and how quickly circumstances around them can shift.
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