The road to the 2026 World Cup will be arduous and this is just the beginning. The Peruvian national team earned one point in the first double matchday of the 2026 qualifiers. Below, at El Comercio, we show you the results and updated standings.
2026 QUALIFICATION TABLE
*Let's remember that the Ecuadorian national team started this qualifying process with three fewer points due to the sanction imposed by the Supreme Arbitration Tribunal (TAS) for the 'Byron Castillo Case'.
Peru could only earn one point at the start of the long World Cup qualifying campaign, after their 1-0 defeat to Brazil in Lima and a draw against Paraguay on Thursday, a discreet balance that puts them under pressure very early on.
Despite having a solid defensive game for almost the entire match, the Peruvian team led by Peruvian coach Juan Reynoso was defeated by a tactical error in the 90th minute of the match against Brazil, Neymar's team, on Tuesday night at the National Stadium in Lima.
The Brazilian star took a corner kick that was headed in by Marquinhos. Forward Raúl Ruidíaz was surpassed in marking by the towering Paris Saint Germain defender.
After taking responsibility for the result, Reynoso turned the page to focus on the next double matchday on October 12 and 17 against Chile away and Argentina at home. "That pain has to turn into fuel for what's to come (the next double matchday)," said Reynoso in a press conference.
With only one point, Peru is in seventh place alongside Chile among ten teams. The qualifiers grant six spots for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, plus a playoff spot with a team from another continent.