Peru vs Chile lineups for date 11 of the 2026 Qualifiers.
The moment of truth has arrived for Peru and Chile, both teams are fighting for the same thing and only one will be able to keep alive their chances of qualifying for the Canada, United States and Mexico 2026 World Cup. The ‘Pacific classic’ will have one of its most recent editions. crucial, where many things are at stake and could mark the future of Peruvians and Chileans.
The duels will start from the technical area. Jorge Fossati and Ricardo Gareca will once again be face to face and will use their best men to secure the three points. The slate of the two coaches generates a lot of expectations, since they learned that there will be several changes in their lineups.
The ‘Flaco’ will have to overcome the absences of key players to defeat the ‘red’. Pedro Gallese, Bryan Reyna, Carlos Zambrano and Renato Tapia will not be there. The ‘Pulpo’ and the ‘Picante’ are suspended due to the accumulation of cards, the ‘Kaiser’ was punished with a date because he insulted a Conmebol official in a duel with Brazil. While the ‘Captain of the Future’ had to be called off due to a sensitive injury. Four important casualties that will force the coach to move his pieces.
However, it is not all bad news, since the Uruguayan will be able to count on the reappearances of Gianluca Lapadula and Paolo Guerrero, both of whom will strengthen the offensive zone of the ‘blanquirroja’. There is also the return of Miguel Trauco, who was not considered for the October matchday.
“They have players and the ability of Ricardo (Gareca), who demonstrated it in many parts of the world and inspires respect. You should never underestimate anyone, but neither should you overvalue them. Chile is an equal to us. I didn’t say that against Brazil, Colombia or Uruguay. Let’s look from reality. We are among the least strong, we have to position ourselves, and Chile too. We are direct rivals, along with two or three others,” Fossati said in an interview with DSports.
Jorge Fossati was outraged by Conmebol’s sanction against Carlos Zambrano and Marcos López ahead of the match with Chile in Lima for the 2026 Qualifiers (RPP)
Jorge Fossati worked as hard as possible with his players to decide the replacements for Pedro Gallese, Carlos Zambrano, Renato Tapia and Bryan Reyna. The Uruguayan coach will have his last rehearsal before the duel with Chile and there is a lot of expectation to know his final eleven. As was already known, Carlos Cáceda will be the owner of the arch taking the place of ‘Octopus’. Melgar’s goalkeeper has experience, as he was in the Qualifiers heading to Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 and was even used by ‘Flaco’ against Nicaragua in a friendly that took place in March, the coach’s debut in command of the ‘blanquirroja’ ‘.
The strategist will not change the system, he will maintain the 3-5-2, and one of the areas that was most affected by the absences was the line of three. However, everything indicates that Alexander Callens, Miguel Araujo and Luis Abram will be chosen at the back. And the wingers will be Luis Advíncula on the right and Miguel Trauco on the left, the midfield will be completed by Horacio Calcaterra, Sergio Peña and Oliver Sonne. The attacking duo will be made up of Gianluca Lapadula and Alex Valera.
Jorge Fossati trained at the Monumental stadium prior to the duel with Chile for the 2026 Qualifiers.
Ricardo Gareca already has his lineup defined to face his former team and the main novelty is the inclusion of Arturo Vidal from the start. The Argentine coach will use his usual 4-5-1 game system and will have the Colo Colo player command the Chilean midfield. Brayan Cortés will be the goalkeeper, and the defense will be made up of Felipe Loyola, Paulo Díaz, Guillermo Maripán, Gabriel Suazo. While in the middle of the field there will be Rodrigo Echeverría, Vicente Pizarro, Alexander Aravena, Diego Valdés and the historic midfielder. And the only striker will be Eduardo Vargas.
“We believed it was a good time for Vidal to be with us. He was also very important in everything that has to do with the campaign (with Colo Colo) and we saw it appropriate to give him participation. The meeting was normal, where we were able to talk briefly. I think we both agree that the national team is above everything,” Gareca declared.
