FPF announces Peru's squad for play-off against New Zealand

Peru is only two games away from returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1982, when a golden generation commanded by Teofilo Cubillas bowed out in the first round. Peruvian football is showing signs of growth not seen in a long time, and the country is rallying behind La Blanquirroja with optimism and caution, refusing to forget the national team's spectacular collapses of the past.

But Peru will have to cross an ocean before taking the pitch in Russia.

On Friday, the Federacion Peruana de Futbol announced the list of call-ups for Peru's inter-confederation play-off against New Zealand. The first leg will take place on Nov. 11 at Westpac Stadium, while the second leg is scheduled for Nov, 15 at the Estadio Nacional. The winner will qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

All of the 26 call-ups were part of Peru's squad for La Blanquirroja's scoreless draw in Argentina and 1-1 draw at home to Colombia, which came on the final two matchdays of CONMEBOL's 2018 World Cup qualifying. Leao Butron and Ivan Bulos, called up in September, were dropped.

There were nightmares in Peru after Paolo Guerrero, La Blanquirroja's joint-top scorer in 2018 World Cup qualifying and arguably the best player in the world of South American club football, was replaced in the second half of Flamengo's 4-1 victory over Esporte Clube Bahia. But Ricardo Gareca, Peru's manager, is confident the Peruvian striker will be fit, saying, "We spoke to Paolo Guerrero, he left as a precaution. We believe that there won't be drawbacks."

Gareca stated, "We have great expectations. We will prepare in the best way."