Peru

Peru

Peru's national football team, governed by the Federación Peruana de Fútbol, has one of South America's most storied traditions. Founded officially in 1927, the Blanquirroja have qualified for five FIFA World Cups, with their most celebrated campaign in 1970 when they reached the quarter-finals in Mexico. They won the Copa América twice, in 1939 and 1975. The 1970s squad, inspired by stars like Teófilo Cubillas — one of the greatest South American players of his era — played an attractive, attacking style. After decades in the wilderness, Peru returned to the World Cup in 2018 under coach Ricardo Gareca, ending a 36-year absence. Cubillas, Paolo Guerrero, and Jefferson Farfán rank among the nation's greatest players.