<p><strong>Paolo Guerrero</strong>, <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/peru/">Peru</a></strong>’s all-time leading scorer, will not participate in the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifier against <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/uruguay/">Uruguay</a></strong>, prompting questions across the soccer world. As Peru continues its qualifying campaign, the absence of the legendary striker is noteworthy. Here’s why.</p>



<p>The most accurate and up-to-date reason for Guerrero’s absence is <strong>his retirement from the national team</strong>. On <strong>January 7, 2025</strong>, Guerrero officially announced that he would no longer play for Peru. The 41-year-old made it clear his last match was likely played in Argentina and emphasized that giving opportunities to younger players was now essential.</p>



<p>This decision reflects both the natural transition of the team and Guerrero’s acceptance of his evolving role—moving aside for the next generation as Peru tries to regroup amid a tough qualification campaign. Notably, Peru currently sits last in the standings with only seven points from 12 matches, making the rebuild all the more urgent.</p>



<h2>A brief return from retirement</h2>



<p>Guerrero did momentarily reverse his decision. In <strong>March 2025</strong>, new coach Óscar Ibáñez recalled him to the national squad for qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela. Remarkably, Guerrero scored his <strong>40th international goal</strong>, becoming the <strong>oldest player to score in a South American World Cup qualifier</strong> at 41 years and 78 days.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/09/04133002/Peru-National-Team-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-588484" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Peru must win its matches in order to qualify for the World Cup and hope for other results.</figcaption></figure>



<p>However, this call-up appears to have been an exceptional case rather than a full reversal of his retirement. Guerrero’s presence in the squad now would contradict his public-facing decision to step away.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/why-is-arturo-vidal-not-playing-for-chile-vs-brazil-in-world-cup-2026-qualifiers/" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.worldsoccertalk.com%2Fwebp%2Ffull%2FWST_20250904_WST_588431_vidal-chile.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="As fans scanned the squad list for this clash, they noticed a glaring absence.&nbsp;Why is Arturo Vidal, one of Chile’s most iconic midfielders, not playing against Brazil?
" title="Why is Arturo Vidal not playing for Chile vs. Brazil in World Cup 2026 qualifiers?" publication_id="WST#/news/why-is-arturo-vidal-not-playing-for-chile-vs-brazil-in-world-cup-2026-qualifiers/"></div>


<h2>Why he wasn’t selected for Uruguay</h2>



<p>Given his retirement and the brief, isolated return request, Ibáñez and the current coaching staff have opted not to include Guerrero in the upcoming qualifying match against <strong>Uruguay</strong>. Consider that:</p>



<ul><li>Guerrero is no longer an active or permanent member of the national team roster.</li><li>His re-inclusion would deviate from the strategic youth transition Peru needs.</li><li>The coaching staff—focused on rebuilding—relies on available, regular contributors rather than one-off appearances.</li></ul>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/watch-on-us-tv/how-to-watch-uruguay-vs-peru-match-in-the-usa-live-stream-and-tv-for-conmebol-world-cup-qualifiers/" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.worldsoccertalk.com%2Fwebp%2Ffull%2FWST_20250904_WST_588380_Giorgian-De-Arrascaeta.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Uruguay will face Peru in a Matchday 17 clash of the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers. Find out here how to watch all the action live in the USA through multiple TV and streaming platforms.
" title="How to watch Uruguay vs Peru match in the USA: Live Stream and TV for CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers" publication_id="WST#/watch-on-us-tv/how-to-watch-uruguay-vs-peru-match-in-the-usa-live-stream-and-tv-for-conmebol-world-cup-qualifiers/"></div>


<p>Paolo Guerrero’s absence in Peru’s match versus Uruguay stems from a heartfelt and deliberate decision to retire from international soccer in early 2025. Though he briefly returned under special circumstances, the national team is now moving forward under the direction of new leadership. With Guerrero’s legacy securely established, the focus shifts to the future as Peru navigates a challenging qualification landscape.</p>


Why is Paolo Guerrero not playing for Peru vs. Uruguay in World Cup 2026 qualifiers?

Why is Paolo Guerrero not playing for Peru vs. Uruguay in World Cup 2026 qualifiers? - World Soccer Talk

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<p><a href="http://www.bundesligatalk.com/the-new-gaffer-introducing-rutten-at-schalke-04/31/fred-rutten/" rel="attachment wp-att-33" title="Fred Rutten"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/8/files/2008/07/rutten.jpg" alt="Fred Rutten" align="right" hspace="15" vspace="15"></figure></div></a>This week we make the short trip west on the A40 from Dortmund past Bochum to Gelsenkirchen, home to Schalke 04 and their new coach, Fred Rutten. Much like his new Ruhr rival, Jürgen Klopp, Rutten has been a one club man for almost his entire 30-year playing and coaching career, all with FC Twente (five years at PSV notwithstanding).  His first exposure to German football will be as part of the Revierderby, arguably the country’s best rivalry.</p>
<p>In the Bundesliga era (since 1963) the tie has been finely balanced. With 26 wins Dortmund currently lead Schalke by one, with 21 draws between them. Over the past four and a half decades Schalke and Dortmund have tended to alternate periods of success.  Expect a shift in Schalke’s favor this upcoming season, although not as a direct result of Rutten’s appointment.   The 2003/2004 season saw the two teams decisively diverge and that should continue on into the 2008/09 season. Dortmund’s position has, to put it diplomatically, nosedived. Schalke, in the meantime, have bounced between 2nd and 4th over those same four years:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bundesligatalk.com/the-new-gaffer-introducing-rutten-at-schalke-04/31/the-revierderby/" rel="attachment wp-att-34" title="The Revierderby"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/8/files/2008/07/800px-revierderby.jpg" alt="The Revierderby" align="middle" height="256" hspace="15" vspace="15" width="499"></figure></div></a></p>
<p>To continue this run of form, the club’s best since the halcyon days of 1933-1945 (six championships under the Nazis), Schalke must contend with personnel issues.  Trite but true.  Three in particular stand out: the injury to Manuel Neuer, and the integration of Orlando Engelaar and Jefferson Farfan into the lineup.</p>
<p>Manuel Neuer –  Out until Mid-September with a broken foot suffered in a preseason friendly against SpVgg Erkenschwick. Neuer stands, alongside Rene Adler and Michael Rensing, as the likeliest candidate to take over long-term goalkeeping duties for Germany after Lehmann’s international retirement. His immense potential is already being realized, having been voted goalkeeper of year in 2007 in a <em>kicker</em> poll. His best performance was undoubtedly his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb_hNhcRDzY" target="_blank" title="Manuel Neuer vs. Porto">one man show against Porto</a> in the Champions League. Mathias Schober is the natural replacement, having been Hansa Rostock’s first choice keeper the six years (2001/02 – 2006/07) prior to arriving at the Veltins-Arena. No one will confuse Schober for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nztu1kA9ong" title="Lev Yashin Highlights">Lev Yashin</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=563mhgsxBjc" title="Sergio Goycochea at Italia &apos;90">Sergio Goycochea</a> when it comes time to repeat Neuer’s penalty heroics. Having Neuer back fit and healthy is like a new signing.</p>
<p>Orlando Engelaar – He was hugely impressive for the Netherlands over the summer at Euro ’08. His signature was a major,  but understandable, coup given that Rutten was his manager at FC Twente.  A relative late bloomer to fame the 28-year old’s stock has risen considerably since his international debut last year against South Korea.  His preferred position is as a defensive midfielder, although his scoring touch and passing skill are more reminiscent of a deep-lying playmaker than a Dutch Makélélé or Gattuso.</p>
<p>Jefferson Farfan – Continuing the Dutch theme is the Peruvian Jefferson Farfan, brought to Schalke from PSV to replace the oft-injured and ineffective Søren Larsen.  Farfan is looking to continue the good run of form Peruvian strikers have shown in the Bundesliga, like Claudio Pizzaro and Paolo Guerrero.  Over the last four years he scored almost every other game, which bodes well for his new club.</p>
<p>Finally a major concern for Schalke fans must be Rutten’s coaching experience. Although he has spent three decades around football in playing and coaching capacities, his time alone in charge is actually quite meager. He was the sole gaffer of FC Twente on three separate occasions for a total of only five years before switching to Schalke 04.  The rest of this time was spent in various other functions, mostly as an assistant manager.  How prepared is he? PSV did well when he was there (2002-2006,  Champions League semifinalists in 2004/05), but this can be attributed to Guus Hiddink, who has found success at every stop.</p>
<p>Like Jürgen Klopp (the two intimately linked as long as they remain with their Revierderby clubs), Rutten is being given a chance to shine on one of the brightest stages in German football.  His task is comparatively easier, although the expectations may be too high.  Mirko Slomka, the previous manager (ignoring the interim Michael Büskens) was the Bundesliga’s second most successful trainer behind Ottmar Hitzfeld in his two years at Schalke.  Failing to advance in Europe or to end the club’s 50 year championship drought cost Slomka his job.</p>
<p>Will Rutten end up like Slomka as just another victim of Schalke’s neverending quest to replace Huub Stevens? He is the team’s 9th trainer since the end of the 2001/02 season and the end of Stevens’ affiliation with the club.  Does Rutten have the players now in Engelaar and Farfan to finally capture the Bundesliga crown and bring peace of mind to Gelsenkirchen?  Or are Schalke destined to continue being second best?</p>
<p><strong>Next week</strong>: Martin Jol at Hamburg</p>


The New Gaffer: Introducing Rutten at Schalke 04

The New Gaffer: Introducing Rutten at Schalke 04 - World Soccer Talk

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Why is Paolo Guerrero not playing for Peru vs. Uruguay in World Cup 2026 qualifiers?

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The New Gaffer: Introducing Rutten at Schalke 04