On the opening day of the 2026 South American Qualifiers, Paraguay welcomes Peru at the Antonio Aranda Encina Stadium, staging a clash that could steer both teams toward a future World Cup run in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Paraguay intends to capitalize on home support to press for a return to football’s grand stage after a demanding cycle that tested the squad and its aspirations. The stadium will likely buzz with anticipation as fans line up behind a team eager to translate local pride into strong, decisive performances on home soil.
Paraguay enters the match under the guidance of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, a coach focused on restoring momentum after a qualifying campaign that fell short of Qatar 2022. The team has been rebuilding, emphasizing compact defense, quick transitions, and a sharper attacking rhythm to reassert Paraguay’s place in South American football. The coaching staff has stressed unity and resilience, signaling a clear intent to leverage home games as pivotal moments in the campaign. A favorable result against Peru would not only boost morale but also set a positive tone for the remaining fixtures in the long road to the World Cup.
Peru, led by Juan Reynoso, travels with aims of reclaiming a stable ranking within CONMEBOL qualifying. The program has shown flashes of quality but has not yet sustained the level required to meet lofty targets in recent cycles. With this match opening a critical stretch, the coaching staff is likely to prioritize discipline, patient buildup, and effective pressing to disrupt Paraguay’s plans. An early positive result abroad could serve as a psychological lift, helping to stabilize momentum for the months ahead and signal Peru’s intent to compete consistently across the qualifiers.
Match Schedule for the 2026 South American Qualifiers: Calendar and Days
PARAGUAY VS PERU: START DATE AND TIME
HOW TO WATCH PARAGUAY VS PERU ONLINE: CHANNELS AND COVERAGE
HEAD TO HEAD: THE LAST 5 MEETINGS
FORMATIONS
PARAGUAY
To confirm.
PERU
To confirm.