What to Know About Canada vs Peru: Kickoff Time, Peru’s Reported XI, and How to Watch
Peru gets its third test of the October FIFA window when it meets Canada at Stade Saputo in Montreal. This explainer covers the reported Peru starting lineup, the context of the match, and the kickoff details for viewers in Peru, the United States, and Argentina.
A History That Hinges on One Match
Canada and Peru have rarely crossed paths. ESPN Deportes puts the senior-level head-to-head at just three meetings, and only one was an official match. That game was a painful one for Peru. At the 2024 Copa América, Jonathan David scored the only goal, Miguel Araujo was sent off, and Peru was all but eliminated from the tournament.
The setting is different now. Peru is coached by Mano Menezes and, in the words of ESPN Deportes, still searching for a footballing resurgence. A win in Montreal would be a useful step.
Peru’s Expected Starting XI
El Comercio reports that Menezes planned to repeat the eleven that drew 1-1 with Mexico in Peru’s previous friendly. In that setup, captain Pedro Gallese starts in goal. The defense consists of Marcos Huamán, Renzo Garcés, Erick Noriega, and Marcos López. Wilder Cartagena, Oslimg Mora, and Yoshimar Yotún make up the midfield. Jairo Vélez, Piero Magallanes, and Adrián Ugarriza lead the line.
Álex Valera is the main attacking option waiting on the bench. The Universitario de Deportes forward is the first attacking alternative, according to El Comercio.
The lineup is described as reported rather than officially confirmed. The match coverage leading up to kickoff referred to the likely XI, not a finalized team sheet.
How the Teams Arrive
The match is Peru’s third friendly in this window. Sporting News reports that Peru opened with a 4-1 loss to the United States before earning a more valuable 1-1 draw with Mexico.
Canada came into the game with a lighter schedule. Sporting News notes that Canada had played only one match in this window before Saturday. The reporting did not provide further detail on that fixture, and no projected Canada lineup appeared in the available coverage.
Why It Matters
Friendlies are easy to dismiss, but this one has a clear storyline for Peru. After the heavy loss to the United States, the draw with Mexico gave Menezes a result to build on. His reported decision to keep the same starting eleven suggests consistency is now more important than experimentation.
A positive performance in Montreal would do two things: give Peru a second consecutive respectable showing and show whether the team can carry its game away from home.
Kickoff Time and Viewing Options
The match kicks off at 1:00 p.m. in Peru, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the United States, and 3:00 p.m. in Argentina, according to Sporting News. The venue is Stade Saputo in Montreal.
Peru viewers can watch on América TV or stream through América tvGO. According to Sporting News, Fanatiz carries the match for the rest of the Americas.