Overview
- Peru settled in Sochi after roughly 40 hours of travel to prepare for Tuesday’s friendly against Chile, with interim coach Manuel Barreto trialing systems and possible changes that include Fabio Grüber, Piero Quispe and Alex Valera.
- Barreto framed his brief tenure as a seeding phase to widen the player pool toward 2030, with the Chile match expected to be his final game in charge before a permanent coach arrives.
- Spain prepared in Tbilisi without Lamine Yamal, who was withdrawn following pubalgia treatment requiring 7–10 days of rest, and without Pedri, who continues his muscle-injury recovery, as Luis de la Fuente emphasized maintaining strong club relations and closing World Cup qualification.
- Organizers are expected to confirm as soon as next week that the Argentina–Spain Finalissima will be staged in Lusail on March 27 or 28, 2026, contingent on Spain not entering a March World Cup playoff.
- Argentina’s Davis Cup team traveled to Bologna for the Final 8 expressing confidence that the best‑of‑three format enhances upset chances, while in Peru Universitario’s sporting director said the club counts on coach Jorge Fossati through 2026 and noted no active offers.