Colombia will aim to stay in the top three of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers standings when they visit Peru on Matchday 7. Despite their strong form, the team will be without veteran player Juan Guillermo Cuadrado.

The Atalanta player appears to have recovered from his injury, but he was also absent from the Colombian national team that finished as runners-up in the 2024 Copa América after losing the final to Argentina.

Juan Cuadrado will not play for Colombia against Peru due to a decision for physical preservation by coach Néstor Lorenzo. Although he was part of the Colombian squad last year, the midfielder has struggled this season with a chronic Achilles tendon injury.

The ailment affected his availability and consideration, leading the Argentine coach to, for now, decide to leave him out. “It wasn’t the season I hoped for, but I have to face this with maturity,” Cuadrado said.

Cuadrado was on the bench for the first time this season in Atalanta’s 0-4 loss to Inter Milan on August 30. The former Juventus is expected to gradually recover fully and get back on the radar of the Colombian national team.

Juan Cuadrado’s last match with the Colombia national team was a year ago, during the first matchday of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in September 2023.

The 36-year-old midfielder played 45 minutes in that 1-0 victory against Venezuela in Barranquilla. He has not been called up since.

Colombia's Performance in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Colombia's national team has performed well under coach Néstor Lorenzo in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, showing an improvement compared to previous qualifiers. The team has achieved important results that keep it in the fight for the top positions in the qualification table, standing out for its defensive solidity and an effective attack. Colombia has managed to obtain valuable points both at home and away, standing out for its ability to keep calm in decisive moments and get results in difficult matches against rivals such as Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Although it has not been an easy road, the team has shown consistency and is in a favorable position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup if it continues with its good performance in the following matches.

Peru's Performance in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Peru's national team has sought to maintain the competitive level that took them to the 2018 World Cup and close to qualifying in 2022. Throughout the competition, Peru has performed inconsistently, with mixed results both home and away. Facing powerful rivals such as Brazil and Argentina, the national team has struggled to stay in contention for a direct qualification or playoff spot. Despite some adverse results, the team has shown resilience, seeking to strengthen its defensive game and improve its attacking efficiency.

Looking Ahead: Peru vs. Colombia

Colombia will head into the weekend looking to bounce back from their Copa America heartbreak and resume their push for a World Cup ticket on a high. Lorenzo’s men have lost just two of their last 13 games against Peru and we are tipping them to secure all three points at the Estadio Nacional de Lima.

Prediction: Peru 1-3 Colombia

The Big Match Preview: Key Takeaways

Here are some key takeaways from the preview of the Peru vs. Colombia match:

• Colombia will be aiming to bounce back from their Copa America final loss to Argentina.

• Juan Cuadrado's absence due to injury will be a blow to Colombia.

• Colombia is in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

• Peru's performance has been inconsistent in the qualifiers.

• Colombia is favored to win the match, with a predicted score of 1-3.