Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the South American Zone (CONMEBOL). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification. A total of 10 CONMEBOL teams entered the competition. The South American zone was allocated 3.5 places (out of 16) in the final tournament. Argentina, the hosts, qualified automatically, leaving 2.5 spots open for competition between 9 teams.

Format

There would be two rounds of play:

First round

Group 1

Brazil advanced to the Final Round.

Group 2

Bolivia advanced to the Final Round.

Group 3

Peru advanced to the Final Round.

Final round

Brazil and Peru qualified. Bolivia advanced to the UEFA / CONMEBOL Intercontinental Play-off.

Inter-confederation play-offs

Qualified teams

The following three teams from CONMEBOL qualified for the final tournament.

Goalscorers