The Peruvian national football team was born in 1927 and it only took the team three years to let the world know of their presence through making an appearance in the first World Cup in 1930 and then again in 1934. After failing to make breakthroughs in those World Cups, the team had multiple “golden generations” of talent and success in the late 1930s through the 1970s. The first golden generation led them to winning the 1938 Bolivarian Games and the 1939 Copa América. The second golden generation led them to qualifying for three World Cups and having their nation's best finish at a World Cup when they made it to the quarter-finals in both 1970 and 1978. Also, this team led the country to another Copa América victory in 1975. Following this remarkable success, the national team entered a drought of success until the 2000s and 2010s. Peru started returning to its standard of success when they qualified for the 2018 World Cup after not qualifying for a World Cup between 1986 and 2014. Fans could once again be heard cheering their iconic chant “Arriba Peru” which translates to “Onward Peru”. They continued this success in 2019 in the Copa América when they finished as runners-up to their CONMEBOL rival Brazil. Fans may have gotten a false sense of hope after these accomplishments as they then failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after losing to Australia on penalties in the intercontinental play-off match. Peruvians are eager to see if it was truly a false sense of hope or if their team can muster a successful performance this summer in the Copa América.
Jorge Fossati, a Uruguayan, has been chosen to lead the Peru team in this World Cup. He began his managerial career in 1993 and has coached clubs around the world including Uruguay, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Paraguay, Qatar, and Peru. Fossati is also experienced in managing international football teams including Uruguay, Qatar, and now Peru. He managed Uruguay from 2004 until 2006. In his first major tournament with Uruguay, he led his team to third place. However, he failed to get Uruguay qualified for the 2006 World Cup, which marked the end of his time as manager for the national team. Now, he looks to lead a squad of talented Peruvians to make a run in the Copa América this summer.
Fossati is going to be looking for two of his key players to lead his team on the pitch. He needs Pedro Gallese to showcase his excellent shot stopping ability especially when they face Argentina in their group. The Orlando City SC keeper needs to be in good form as he will likely be tasked with monumental tasks such as defending against the reigning World Champions. Fossati will also look for Piero Quispe to dominate the midfield. He currently plays for Pumas in Mexico. The twenty-two-year-old looks to make his mark and show his talents for clubs all around the world to see.
The Peruvian team, nicknamed La Bicolor, look to repeat their success in the 2019 Copa América. They must prove themselves worthy of getting out of the group stage as they face the 2022 World Cup champions, Argentina, Chile who Peru defeated 3-0 in the 2019 Copa América Semifinal, and also Canada. If Peru can make it through the group stage, they can look to make a run into the later stages of the tournament.
Check Out Peru's Win over Paraguay, 2021 Copa