Lima, Peru – Gianluca Lapadula, the Italian-Peruvian forward, is actively seeking to solidify his future with Spezia Calcio in Italy, hoping to regain form and contention for the Peruvian national team. This comes after being left off the roster for upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Paraguay, a decision attributed to technical reasons by head coach Óscar Ibáñez.
The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) announced its squad list on August 24th, sparking debate among fans regarding several notable omissions. Beyond Lapadula, Bryan Reyna, Piero Quispe, Paolo Guerrero (due to injury), and andré Carrillo (also sidelined by injury) were not included in Ibáñez’s selection.
Lapadula’s Plan for Re-Entry into the Peruvian National team
According to reports from the Italian news outlet “Citta della Spezia,” lapadula, 35, is prioritizing a clear path to consistent playing time. He has initiated discussions with Spezia’s management to negotiate a contract extension,reportedly offering to reduce his salary over the next two seasons to secure his position within the club.
Lapadula’s limited playing time with Spezia has been a contributing factor to his exclusion from the national team. He has yet to feature in any matches for the club this season, fueling speculation about a potential transfer during the current window. The forward understands that regular appearances are crucial to remaining in consideration for the Peruvian national team, wich is currently navigating the challenging South American qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Spezia changes plans and prepares to receive again at number 10. Today, when training is resumed, Lapadula is expected,” reported “Citta Della Spezia,” indicating a positive shift in the club’s stance towards retaining the player.
Key absences Impacting the Peruvian Squad
The absence of Lapadula,a key figure in previous qualifying campaigns,represents a significant shift in Ibáñez’s tactical approach. Guerrero,a veteran striker and Peru’s all-time leading goalscorer,remains unavailable due to a lingering injury. Carrillo, another experienced winger, is also recovering from an injury.the omissions of Reyna and Quispe, both promising young midfielders, signal Ibáñez’s desire to evaluate different options in those positions.
- Gianluca Lapadula
- Bryan Reyna
- Piero Quispe
- Paolo Guerrero (injury)
- André Carrillo (injury)
Peru faces a tough challenge in their qualifying group,competing against nations like Brazil,Argentina,Uruguay,and Colombia. The matches against Uruguay and Paraguay will be critical in determining their chances of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.