The Peru U-20 national team will play two friendlies against Brazil in Belém on November 13 and 16, 2026.
These matches at the Estadio Olímpico de Pará prepare the squad for the South American championship in Colombia.
The 24-player roster includes members who won a bronze medal at the Santa Fe 2026 South American Games. Head coach Thiago Kosloski kept a core group from recent matches against Ecuador. Peru lost 3-2 and drew 1-1 in those games.
International Players Join Domestic Group for Continental Competition
Three players represent international clubs. Forward Marco Rivas plays for CA Tigre in Argentina. Defender Matías Bordon plays for Deportes Concepción in Chile. Midfielder Philipp Eisele plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.
𝗥𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗼 𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼 🇵🇪✈️#LaBicolor Sub20 entrenó en Videna y quedó lista para viajar a Brasil 🇧🇷 , donde disputará dos amistosos ante la selección local, los días 13 y 16 de noviembre 🗓️ #UnSentimientoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/oVFcmQxlwA
The staff added these players to a domestic group to prepare for continental competition. Bordon qualifies for Peru through his grandfather. He expressed his commitment to the national team.
“I have an enormous respect, affection, and gratitude for Chile; it is the country where I was born, where I grew up, and from which Universidad Católica and Deportes Concepcion have given me more tools to be the footballer I am today,” Bordon said. He added that his connection to Peru comes from his blood.
The goalkeepers are Fabrisio Mesías (Alianza Lima), César Bautista (Sporting Cristal), and Tylor Carrol (Unión Huaral). The defenders are Samuel Pereda (Alianza Lima), Matías Bordon (Deportes Concepción), Joaquín Verde (Universitario), Jussepi García (Alianza Lima), Dylan Maceda (FBC Melgar), Duham Ballumbrosio (Sporting Cristal), and Joao Cuenca (Sporting Cristal).
Midfielders include Philipp Eisele (Eintracht Frankfurt), Braidy Paz (Alianza Lima), and Gerson Castillo (Sporting Cristal). Others are Piero Cari (Alianza Lima), Lionel Herrera (Sporting Cristal), Jeanpiero Falconí (FBC Melgar), Josemaria Mellán (Sporting Cristal), Christopher Loayza (Universitario), Rodrigo Guerrero (Comerciantes FC), and Santiago Berckemeyer (Unión Huaral). The forwards are Marco Rivas (CA Tigre), Oliver López (Sporting Cristal), Nicolás Rengifo (Universitario), and Adrián Cáceres (Universitario).
Preparing for the South American Championship
The friendlies help the team refine its structure before the competition in Colombia. That tournament runs from January 22 to February 7, 2027. It serves as the qualifying path for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
South American nations compete for four slots. Peru has never qualified for this global event.
Bordon spoke about his role. “If my turn comes, I will take it on with responsibility,” Bordon said.
The staff is evaluating individual and collective performances against a regional rival. The team finished training at the Villa Deportiva Nacional (Videna) in Lima. They left for Brazil on Tuesday night, ending the 15th microcycle of the season.
The matches in Belém occur at the Estadio Estadual Jornalista Edgar Augusto Proença. They are scheduled for 18:00 (Peru time) on both dates. It is not yet known how the technical staff will finalize the roster for the tournament in Colombia after these fixtures conclude.
