Six teams qualify directly; the seventh fights for survival in a playoff.
Cada cuatro años, el fútbol sudamericano convierte el continente en un escenario de ambiciones y destinos nacionales. Esta semana, CONMEBOL puso en marcha la clasificatoria para el Mundial 2026, un ciclo de dieciocho fechas que se extenderá hasta septiembre de 2025 y determinará qué seis selecciones acompañarán a las grandes potencias en México, Estados Unidos y Canadá. Perú inicia su travesía visitando a Paraguay, consciente de que en esta edición FIFA amplió las plazas directas, abriendo una ventana de esperanza más ancha, aunque no menos exigente.
- Perú arranca la clasificatoria lejos de casa, enfrentando a Paraguay en Ciudad del Este el 7 de septiembre, donde cada punto ganado en territorio ajeno puede marcar la diferencia al final de dos años y medio de campaña.
- La ampliación de cupos directos de cuatro y medio a seis y medio alivia la presión histórica, pero no elimina el riesgo: el séptimo clasificado deberá disputar un repechaje intercontinental de partido único, un escenario que Perú conoce y teme.
- El calendario es una prueba de resistencia: dieciocho fechas intercaladas con la Copa América 2024 en Estados Unidos, obligando a las selecciones a mantener el ritmo competitivo durante más de dos años sin margen real de descanso.
- Ya en la segunda jornada, el 12 de septiembre, Perú se medirá ante Brasil a las 9:00 p.m., un examen de fuego que revelará rápidamente el nivel real del equipo de Juan Reynoso frente al favorito del torneo.
- Los hinchas peruanos podrán seguir cada partido por ATV, Movistar Deportes y América Televisión, convirtiendo cada noche de clasificatoria en un ritual colectivo que unirá al país alrededor de una misma esperanza.
La clasificatoria sudamericana para el Mundial 2026 arrancó esta semana con Perú viajando a Paraguay, primera parada de una campaña que se extenderá hasta septiembre de 2025. CONMEBOL confirmó el fixture completo: diez selecciones, dieciocho fechas, todos contra todos en formato ida y vuelta. El destino final es México, Estados Unidos y Canadá.
La gran novedad de este ciclo es la ampliación de plazas directas: FIFA pasó de cuatro y medio a seis cupos automáticos para Sudamérica. El séptimo clasificado disputará un repechaje intercontinental de partido único. Para Perú, que en ciclos anteriores ha sufrido en los últimos peldaños de la tabla, esta apertura representa una oportunidad real, aunque no garantizada.
El técnico Juan Reynoso llevó al equipo a Ciudad del Este para el debut del jueves 7 de septiembre a las 5:30 p.m. (hora peruana). Esa misma noche, Argentina recibió a Ecuador y Colombia jugó ante Venezuela. Al día siguiente, Uruguay enfrentó a Chile y Brasil a Bolivia, completando la primera ronda de partidos. Cinco días después, el 12 de septiembre, Perú tendrá su segunda prueba: recibir a Brasil a las 9:00 p.m., un partido que medirá rápidamente las aspiraciones del equipo.
El calendario contempla una pausa importante: la Copa América de junio y julio de 2024 en Estados Unidos interrumpirá las eliminatorias, que se reanudarán en septiembre de ese año y concluirán en el otoño de 2025. Durante todo ese trayecto, los partidos de Perú se transmitirán por ATV, Movistar Deportes y América Televisión.
La ruta es larga y no perdona errores tempranos. Con seis plazas directas en juego y rivales de la talla de Brasil, Argentina, Colombia y Chile en el camino, cada resultado desde el primer silbatazo en Paraguay construirá o erosionará las posibilidades peruanas de estar en el Mundial.
The South American qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup begins this September, and Peru will open its three-year push for a berth in North America by traveling to Paraguay on September 7th. CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, has confirmed the complete fixture, setting in motion a marathon that will stretch through September 2025 and determine which nations earn the right to compete in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
The structure is familiar: all ten CONMEBOL nations will face each other twice—once at home, once away—across eighteen matchdays. This format mirrors the qualifying campaign that led to Qatar 2022, where Argentina ultimately won the World Cup. The stakes, however, have shifted slightly in Peru's favor. FIFA expanded the number of direct qualification spots from four and a half to six and a half, meaning six South American teams will advance automatically to the tournament. The seventh-place finisher will compete in an intercontinental playoff, determined by FIFA draw, in a single-match format.
Peru's opening assignment carries weight. Coach Juan Reynoso will lead the team to Ciudad del Este to face Paraguay at 5:30 p.m. Peruvian time on Thursday, September 7th. The goal is straightforward: secure points away from home and establish momentum early. That same evening, Argentina will host Ecuador at 7:00 p.m., and Colombia will play Venezuela at 6:00 p.m. Uruguay and Chile will meet the following day, as will Brazil and Bolivia, spreading the first round of matches across two nights.
The second matchday follows five days later, on September 12th, with Peru facing Brazil at 9:00 p.m.—a fixture that will test the team's mettle against the tournament favorite. Between these opening rounds and the campaign's conclusion, the schedule will carry Peru through October, November, and into 2025, with a notable interruption: the Copa América, scheduled for June and July 2024 in the United States, will pause the qualifiers during that window. The tournament will resume in September 2024 and continue through the fall and winter months, with the final matchday set for September 2025.
For Peruvian viewers, the matches will be broadcast across three channels: ATV (channels 9 and 709 in HD), Movistar Deportes (channels 3 and 703 in HD), and América Televisión (channels 4 and 704 in HD). Most games are expected to kick off between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Peruvian time, though CONMEBOL has indicated that specific kickoff times for matches beyond the first two rounds remain subject to confirmation.
The qualifying path is long and unforgiving. Peru must navigate encounters with established powers like Brazil and Argentina, regional rivals like Colombia and Chile, and emerging challengers across the continent. With six direct spots available and the margin for error narrower than in previous cycles, every result matters from the opening whistle in Paraguay. The campaign that begins this week will define Peruvian football for the next two and a half years, culminating in either a ticket to the World Cup or a desperate fight for survival in the playoff.
Notable Quotes
Coach Juan Reynoso will lead Peru seeking to secure points away from home and establish momentum early in the campaign.— CONMEBOL fixture announcement
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does Peru's opening match against Paraguay feel significant? They're not the strongest team in the region.
It's about the away fixture. Starting on the road is always harder—you're in an unfamiliar environment, dealing with travel, altitude sometimes, a hostile crowd. If Peru can steal three points there, it sets a different tone for the entire campaign. It says we belong here.
And the schedule itself—does it favor anyone?
Not really. Everyone plays everyone twice, so there's no hiding. What matters more is how the calendar breaks. Copa América in 2024 will interrupt rhythm, and teams playing in September 2025 will have momentum or fatigue depending on their domestic seasons. But structurally, it's fair.
Six spots direct to the World Cup. That's more than before, right?
Yes. It went from four and a half to six and a half. That extra spot-and-a-half means one more team gets through without the playoff gauntlet. For Peru, it's slightly better odds, but it also means the seventh-place team—the one that misses out—will be stronger than it used to be. The competition doesn't get easier; it just shifts.
What does Reynoso need to accomplish in these first two matches?
Four points would be ideal. Six would be perfect. But realistically, he needs to show the team can compete away from home and that they're not intimidated by Brazil. If Peru loses both, the narrative becomes one of crisis before October even arrives. If they win one or draw both, there's a foundation to build on.
How much does the broadcast access matter for a team like Peru?
It matters for the country's engagement. Three channels means most Peruvians can find the match somewhere. That kind of visibility keeps the national team relevant in the public consciousness over three years. It's the difference between a campaign that feels like a national project and one that feels distant.