On March 25, 2025, Venezuela faces Peru at the Estadio Monumental de Maturín for a crucial match in the 14th round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. Kickoff is scheduled for 21:00 (local time), and fans can catch the action live on SporTV.
This matchup holds significant implications for both teams, as they currently occupy the lower half of the standings. Venezuela sits in the eighth position with 12 points, two points ahead of ninth-placed Peru, which has only 10 points. A win for Venezuela could not only boost their chances but also help them leapfrog Bolivia, who is currently seventh with 14 points and is in a playoff position.
In the South American qualifiers, the 10 teams—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela—are competing in a round-robin format, leading up to the 2026 World Cup in North America. The top six teams secure direct entry into the World Cup, while the seventh-placed team moves onto an intercontinental playoff.
Despite their rocky form, Venezuela hopes to make a mark in front of their home crowd. Under coach Fernando Batista, Venezuela had a mixed bag of results leading up to this match. Recently, they lost to Ecuador 2-1 and suffered a heavy defeat against Chile, 4-2. However, they had managed to secure a draw against Brazil, showing they have the potential to perform when it matters most.
Venezuela's probable lineup for this critical encounter includes goalkeeper Romo; defenders González, Mejías, Ferraresi, and Makoun; midfielders Cásseres Jr., Buenn, and Segovia; and forward players Bello, Soteldo (with Mendoza as a possible replacement), and Rondón.
On the flip side, Peru enters this clash with a flicker of hope after a commendable 3-1 victory over Bolivia. Despite this win, they face grim prospects of qualification. With only two more rounds left after this match, every point is critical for the Peruvian side, coached by Óscar Ibáñez. Their lineup is expected to feature Gallese in goal; defenders Advíncula, Garcés, Abram, and Trauco; midfielders Tapia, Carrillo, and Peña; and forwards Polo, Bryan Reyna, and the veteran Paolo Guerrero.
Throughout their competitive history, Venezuela and Peru have met on 38 occasions, with Peru having the upper hand with 23 wins, while Venezuela has won 8 matches—the remaining 7 being draws. Peru has scored a total of 65 goals compared to Venezuela's 41, showcasing their dominance in historical encounters.
With hopes of a World Cup berth on the line, tension is expected to run high in Maturín. The match provides a much-needed opportunity for both teams to revive their hopes and gain momentum as the qualifiers continue. Will Venezuela take advantage of their home ground, or will Peru find a way to pull off a crucial away victory?
As the excitement builds, fans are encouraged to engage with the action, whether in the stadium or from home, as the match promises thrilling moments and high stakes.
In summary, as they ready for the match, both teams will aim to secure a vital victory, fueled by their quest to qualify for the World Cup. Fans can look forward to a night of passionate football, full of anticipation and perhaps, some surprises.
