The Peru national soccer team, nicknamed "Incas" or "La Blanquirroja," meaning "the Red and White," competes for Peru in international tournaments as part of the South America Football Confederation, or CONMEBOL.
Golden Eras
Peru began making appearances in the international soccer scene in 1922, upon the foundation of the Peruvian Football Federation. The Peruvian national team has a history of ups and downs with two notable periods of success known as Peru's "Golden Eras." During the first, in the 1930s, Peru made its first World Cup appearance. The team didn't move past the group round, but surprised the world with a solid performance. During the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Peru upset both Finland and Austria before withdrawing from the tournament in protest when its win over the Austrians was ordered to be replayed. The squad picked up its first international title in 1938 at the Bolivarian Games. The second golden era came in the 1970s, when the team not only qualified for the 1970 World Cup, but also pulled off a surprising tie against the Argentinian squat before moving on all the way to the quarterfinals. In 1975, the team won its second Copa America title.
Alianza Lima Air Disaster
On Dec. 8, 1987, after a long period of success for the Peruvian national team, a plane chartered by the popular Peruvian football club Alianza Lima crashed in the Pacific Ocean only a few miles from the airport. The entire team and coaching staff, including many of Peru's best national players, were killed.
Tournament Records
The Peruvian national team has made four World Cup appearances in 1930, 1970, 1978 and 1982. During their four appearances, the team scored a total of 15 goals in four wins and eight losses. The squad won the Copa America in 1939 and 1975 and made an appearance in the final in 1999.
Stadium and Uniforms
The Peruvian national soccer team plays in red and white, the colors of the Peruvian flag. The squad plays most of its home games in the national stadium in Lima.
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