Qualifiers 2026: Peru’s record against Paraguay and Brazil in the race to the last three World Cups

Next Thursday, the Peruvian Soccer Team begins the search for his first points in the Eliminatory phase towards the tournament of the FIFA World Cup 2026. In this qualifying race, the debut will be against Paraguay and then rival an always complicated Brazil.

Peru’s record with these two teams is mixed: while the Paraguayan team has represented a manageable challenge, with most of their defeats, the Brazilians have neutralized the Blanquirroja with more goals. This is the case of the last qualifying matches for the last three World Cups, as well as games in the Copa América and friendly matches.

Peru’s strengths against its Guaraní counterpart were repeated in other relevant games. On dates of the Copa América, (July 2015 and July 2021), the Blanquirroja secured a 2-0 victory and a 3-3 draw, respectively. Likewise, in friendly matches, Peru has won 1-0 in 2017, 2019 and 2022.

Regarding Brazil, the climate is different and disadvantageous: of six matches for the Copa América between 2015 and 2021, the team today led by Carlo Ancelotti defeated the national team in five. Only in 2016 Peru had a 1-0 victory, eliminating Brazil in the Copa América Centenario. The last friendly match with the Brazilian national team was in 2019, with a favorable 1-0 for Peru.

A stage with more quotas

in communication with Tradethe sports journalist Juan Carlos Ortecho He said that Peru, under the command of its coach Juan Reynoso, has a very different context from that of the stage with Ricardo Gareca. In principle, there are currently fewer Peruvian players with active careers abroad, which can take away balance and cohesion on the pitch. In addition, he explains that, against Paraguay on date 1, it will be key to aspire, at least, to a draw.

“In the broader picture, I believe that Peru should go not only to this game but to the other sixteen knowing their limitations and minimizing their possible effects and consequences. 18 months have passed since the last tie, and it would be a mistake to think of Paraguay looking at that final table. In a context in which there are 6.5 places out of 10, a draw is a very good result”said the also author of the book “La fe de ayer”.

In the qualifiers to Qatar 2022, the South American teams had 4 direct quotas and a chance to enter scraping with the help of a repechage. However, for the next World Cup, this quota has risen to two additional direct places, which generates greater expectations about the final positions in the table.

The sports journalist Camila Zapata indicated that Paraguay, in theory, would not represent a great threat to Peru, since their quality of play has been in decline for some time. He added that the Bicolor should focus on obtaining a victory with this direct rival, which would add three points relatively easily; more complex situation on date 2 against Brazil.

“Peru must take advantage of the fact that they have gained a structural way of playing that is very much their own, while Paraguay is still under construction. You also have to take advantage Paraguayan casualtieslike the [el atacante de 19 años Julio] In short, it will surely be very hard ”Zapata maintained.

Last Friday, in the voice of Reynoso, the Peruvians summoned for date 1 against the Guarani were known. Pedro Gallese will be in goal, although he is also seconded on the list by Carlos Cáceda and Renato Solís. In the defense, Luis Advíncula, Aldo Corzo, Miguel Trauco, Marcos López, Anderson Santamaría, Miguel Araujo, Alexander Callens and Luis Abram were called. In addition, there are midfielders Renato Tapia, Wilder Cartagena, Yoshimar Yotún, Pedro Aquino, Sergio Peña, Christopher Gonzáles, Piero Quispe and Jesús Castillo. The prominent forwards are André Carrillo, Jhamir D’Arrigo, Jostin Alarcón, Paolo Guerrero, Raúl Ruidíaz, Alex Valera, Andy Polo and Joao Grimaldo.

Of the 27 originally called up, 15 are under 30 years of age. Of them, only six are under 25 years of age (López, Quispe, Castillo, D’Arrigo, Alarcón and Grimaldo). Of all the players, the oldest is Paolo Guerrero, who will turn 40 next January. On Sunday, September 3, the list was modified, with the inclusion of midfielder Carlos Ascues (31 years old) and the dismissals of Pedro Aquino (28 years old) and Anderson Santamaría (31 years old) due to being injured.

Asked about the importance of a generational change in the National Team, the journalist Camila Zapata remarked that having older members is not necessarily a disadvantage.

“It is worth the appearance of some players like Joao Grimaldo [de 20 años], but you have to see the positive side of having players with a hierarchy. I think few teams enjoy having a Paolo Guerrero fighting in an international tournament at 39 years old and who is physically impeccable. Few have players with more than 100 games, like Yotún or Gallese. I believe that we must take advantage of it as a strength and see new presences or younger presences as part of this generational change that will naturally have to take place “replied the specialist.