The Peruvian national team fine-tunes its form with matches in Europe
Peru Faced Senegal and Honduras
The Peruvian national team played two matches during the month of March. The first took place on March 28, when Peru faced Senegal in a FIFA international friendly, losing 2–0. Later, on March 31, Peru drew 2–2 against Honduras, also in a FIFA international friendly. Both matches were held in Europe, specifically in France and Spain.
Meanwhile, head coach Mano Menezes has assembled a balanced squad that combines the experience of established players with the emerging talent of promising young footballers from the national league. In goal, Pedro Gallese stands out as both the starting goalkeeper and team captain. In addition, a new defensive line is expected to take shape, giving younger players the opportunity in these matches to demonstrate their abilities and establish themselves within the squad.
Who makes up the coaching staff of the Peruvian national team?
On January 29, 2026, the Peruvian Football Federation officially introduced the coaching staff that will lead the national team during the qualification process for the 2030 World Cup. The head coach of “La Bicolor” is Luis Antonio Venker de Meneses, known as “Mano,” who will be responsible for leading this new sporting project throughout the entire qualifying cycle.
During the press conference, Mano Meneses stated the following:
“For us, it is an honor to have been invited to coach the national team. There is a historic and meaningful relationship between Brazil and Peru; several Brazilian coaches have worked here, such as Didí, Tim, and more recently Paulo Autuori. We are aware that the last few years have not produced the best results, but we are here because we firmly believe we can get back on track. We want Peru to become a protagonist again, to compete with enthusiasm and determination. Our goal is to build a solid project and restore the identity of Peruvian football.”
Mano Meneses has extensive experience as a head coach at major clubs such as Grêmio, Corinthians, Flamengo, Cruzeiro, Palmeiras, and Fluminense, among others. Throughout his career, he has won several titles, including Paulista and Mineiro state championships, the Recopa Gaúcha, Brazil’s Serie B, and the Copa do Brasil. In addition, he coached the Brazilian national team between 2010 and 2012, which supports his international experience.
The coaching staff accompanying him is made up of highly experienced professionals. The assistant coach is Sidnei de Espírito, who has worked alongside Meneses for 23 years. A former footballer, he played as a defensive midfielder for important clubs such as São Paulo and Fluminense.
In the performance area, Bruno Mazziotti is in charge. He is a specialist who has worked with several national teams and clubs, including Corinthians. Meanwhile, the head coach of Peru’s Under-20 team is Thiago Kosloski, a former athlete who collaborated with Meneses for four years at clubs such as Corinthians, Fluminense, and Grêmio, and also served as an assistant coach for his country’s national team.
Finally, the fitness coach is Guilherme de Melo, a professional with international experience in several countries. He was also part of Uruguay’s coaching staff during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where he was responsible for physical preparation.
With this coaching staff, the Peruvian Football Federation aims to begin a new era focused on development, competitiveness, and restoring the Peruvian national team’s international prominence.
What Jersey Will “La Blanquirroja” Wear?
For the friendlies, the national team will debut a new jersey. The players will wear a new Adidas model, the brand that outfits the Peruvian Football Federation. The design is predominantly black, combined with neon orange, green, and fuchsia details on the sleeves and crest. These fluorescent colors evoke Peru’s “chicha” culture.
Additionally, the jersey features the word “Perú” printed on the back of the collar, while the crest is stitched onto the chest. Footballer André Carrillo modeled the new jersey.
What Matches Will the National Team Play in 2026?
Journalist Gustavo Peralta also stated that after playing against Senegal and Jordan, Peru will face the United States and could later play against the Netherlands, Egypt, or Scotland.
During September and October, the Peruvian Football Federation is working on organizing matches in Mexico, Miami, Canada, and Lima, considering the geographical proximity of the countries involved.
For the November FIFA international window, Peru has been invited to travel to either Japan or South Korea.
The qualifying format for the 2030 World Cup is still awaited. Meanwhile, the Peruvian Football Federation is already arranging friendly matches to ensure proper preparation for the national team and to return to the World Cup after 12 years.
SOURCES
Federación Peruana de Futbol
El Comercio
ESPN
RPP
Picture: Mercado Negro