Zambrano: “In this Qualifying Round we are not aiming for the playoffs, we are aiming to qualify directly for the World Cup”

Carlos Zambranodefense of Lima Allianceindicated that the peruvian team It aims to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup and not go to the playoffs, as happened in the last two Qualifiers.

At the exit of the training of his team in Lurín, the ‘León’ hinted that it could be considered a failure if the red-and-white does not get her direct ticket to the next World Cup because the chances of qualifying have increased as there is one more place for South America.

“It goes without saying that it would be that (a failure not to qualify), but it is not easy, we play against teams that are the best, but, anyway, we have one more place, I think that in the last two Qualifiers we have entered the playoffs, We know that it is the last Qualifier for many colleagues, just like mine, so we have to give our lives for thatZambrano said.

“most of the teams are making a lot of replacements, Paraguay and Ecuador already have many youngsters there, and unfortunately we are looking for spare parts little by little”, he added.

In addition, he agreed with the coach of the Peruvian team, Juan Reynoso, regarding the fact that the maximum score must be obtained in each double date of the QualifiersHe even warned that it is forbidden to lose local, be it Brazil or Argentina.

“It is the ideal (add 50% in each double date), the important thing is to add in all the games, in the last Qualifying round the first six or seven dates cost us a lot and only in the second round did the team recover, adding all the games, made a point or three points. The important thing is that the teams don’t leave us with three points. At home it is forbidden to lose, be it Brazil or Argentina, the important thing is to add”, he indicated.

Peru will face Paraguay in Ciudad del Este on September 7 and Brazil in Lima on September 12 in the first two dates of the World Cup Qualifiers for Canada, the United States and Mexico 2026.