Colombia vs. Peru: Date, Time, Team News & Why This Qualifier Matters

 Colombia is set to host Peru in a crucial Matchday 15 showdown of the South American World Cup Qualifiers. This game could prove pivotal in shaping Colombia’s path toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

📅 Date & Time:

Kickoff: 3:30 PM (COL/PER/ECU), 4:30 PM (CHI), 5:30 PM (ARG/URU)

Why This Match Is a Must-Win for Colombia

Colombia is currently riding a four-match winless streak and has dropped to sixth place in the CONMEBOL standings. While that position still offers a direct qualification spot, the team urgently needs a morale-boosting victory to regain momentum and fan confidence.

> “The mood in the squad is excellent. I’m truly thankful to the players who sacrificed their vacations to join the national camp. Their commitment shows,” said head coach Néstor Lorenzo ahead of the clash.

Meanwhile, Peru sits near the bottom of the table and is enduring a troubled campaign, having changed coaches three times already this season. Oscar Ibáñez is now at the helm but faces an uphill battle.

Key Players to Watch: Colombia vs. Peru

James Rodríguez (Colombia): The team captain leads all players in assists during the qualifiers (5). His creativity and leadership will be critical for Colombia to return to winning ways.

Paolo Guerrero (Peru): Peru’s experienced forward and captain has scored one goal in this campaign and remains their biggest offensive threat.

Recent Form: How the Teams Are Performing

Colombia’s Struggles

After a dominant win over Chile in October, Colombia’s form dipped dramatically. The team has picked up just one point from the last 12 available, struggling defensively and losing focus in key moments. Star winger Luis Díaz — the team’s top scorer with 5 goals — is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.

Peru’s Offensive Woes

Peru's attack has been the weakest in the qualifiers, with just 6 goals in 14 games. They’ve also failed to score in any away match, adding to their concerns going into this must-win contest.

Previous Encounter: A 1-1 Draw

The last time these two teams met was on September 6, 2024, in Lima. The match ended 1-1 with goals from Alexander Callens (Peru) and Luis Díaz (Colombia).

How Close Is Colombia to Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup?

Colombia began 2025 with a disappointing draw against Paraguay and a loss to Brazil, earning only one point in the last FIFA international window. Still, they remain in a qualifying position with 20 points from 5 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses.

With four matches remaining — two of which are at home — Colombia’s path to the World Cup is still very much alive.

How Many More Points Does Colombia Need?

Given the current format, where six teams qualify directly and a seventh enters the playoff, history shows that 27 points should be enough to secure a spot.

Colombia currently has 20 points, so they’ll likely need at least 5 to 8 more points from the final four games. With matches against Peru and Bolivia at home, and two away fixtures, the task is challenging but manageable.

Read more..