The Peruvian team will have Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic as their first rivals in 2024. Last Monday, the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) confirmed both Concacaf squads for the preparatory matches that the Bicolor will face at the FIFA appointment in March, before taking part in the America Cup.
The choice of these teams caused suspicious comments from fans, since according to the FIFA rankings they are teams at a much lower level than the team of Jorge Fossati, who is currently ranked 35th on the list.
What position in the FIFA rankings do Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic have?
According to the latest update of the FIFA rankingsconducted in December 2023, the teams of Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic are outside the top 100. The Pinoleros are placed in box 134, while the Islanders only appear at position 151.
Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic do not normally fight in Concacaf. Photo: FIFA
Argentina (1st) and Chile (40th), teams that Peru face in Group A of the Copa América, are significantly better placed. Even Canada (48th) and Haiti (89th), the two candidates to complete the Blanquirroja group, have a higher rating.
Why did Peru choose to play with Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic?
Franco Navarro Mandayo, FPF selection manager, explained that the decision to agree to the training matches with Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic was based on the need to find rivals similar to those of the Copa América. Additionally, he stated that he had the approval of the coaching staff to finalize the agreement.
“We had a few alternatives for this date in March, but they were all approved by the coaching staff and worked out well in advance. We have decided to organize games that are more similar to what the Copa América will be, it will be. “It's time to face other types of rivals,” he explained to Ovation.
When does Peru play Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic?
The international friendlies against Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic will be played on Friday, March 22 and Tuesday, March 26, respectively. Both games will be played in Lima at 8:30 p.m. (Peruvian time), but stadiums for both games are yet to be confirmed.