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Peruvian Football Federation

The Peruvian Football Federation (Spanish: Federación Peruana de Fútbol, FPF) is the governing body for in , responsible for organizing national teams, domestic leagues, and cup competitions across the country. Founded on August 23, 1922, in , the FPF has its headquarters at Av. Aviación 2085, San Luis, and serves as the central authority for the sport's development, regulation, and promotion in . As a full member of both and , the federation oversees the —known as La Blanquirroja—as well as youth, women's, and teams, ensuring their participation in international tournaments. Under the leadership of its president, Agustín Lozano (who was arrested in November 2024 on charges but re-elected in August 2025 and remains in office as of November 2025), the FPF manages key domestic competitions, including the top-tier Liga 1, the second-division Liga 2, the knockout tournament, and the Liga Femenina for women's football. The federation's most notable achievements include guiding the national team to victories in 1939 and 1975, marking Peru's only titles in the competition to date, and successfully hosting the in 2005, which earned the city of a for its community support. In recent years, the FPF has focused on grassroots development through regional training centers and partnerships with sponsors like , while also addressing challenges such as referee management via its Comisión Nacional de Árbitros and participation in global initiatives like FIFA's development programs.

History

Foundation

The sport of was introduced to in the late by sailors who played informal matches on the docks of , the port near , during ship unloadings, gradually sparking local interest among Peruvian workers and residents. This early exposure was complemented by railway workers and expatriates who organized games in urban areas, contributing to the formation of the country's first clubs, such as Ciclista Lima Association, established on December 22, 1896, initially as a club that soon incorporated activities. By the early , 's popularity had surged among local communities, outpacing other sports and prompting the need for a centralized to regulate competitions and foster development. On August 23, 1922, the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) was officially founded in Lima to serve as the national governing authority for association football, with the primary objectives of standardizing rules, organizing national teams, and promoting the sport's growth amid increasing participation from local clubs and expatriate groups. The federation emerged from discussions among regional leagues and clubs seeking unified administration, marking a pivotal step in professionalizing the game in Peru. Claudio Martínez Bodero, a former player and president of Atlético Chalaco, was elected as the first president of the FPF, holding the position from 1922 to 1925 and guiding its initial organizational efforts. Under the FPF's early leadership, key activities included the organization of the inaugural national amateur championship in , which brought together teams from and to establish a competitive framework for domestic play. This was followed by the formation of Peru's first national team in 1927, which debuted at the South American Championship held in , representing the federation's commitment to international representation and the sport's expansion beyond local confines.

Affiliations and early development

The Peruvian Football Federation secured its place in global football by affiliating with in 1924, a pivotal step that enabled the national team to engage in international fixtures and elevated the sport's status within . This affiliation provided the organizational framework necessary for standardized rules and competitive opportunities on the world stage. Shortly thereafter, in 1925, the FPF joined , the South American confederation, which further integrated Peruvian football into regional structures and facilitated participation in continental events. With these affiliations in place, the Peruvian national team debuted internationally at the in , where it competed against established sides like and , finishing third despite a 0-4 opening loss to . This tournament represented Peru's initial foray into competitive international play, fostering national pride and exposing local talent to higher-level opposition. Building on this momentum, Peru claimed a significant early achievement by winning the gold medal at the inaugural in , triumphing over , , , and with an undefeated record and a 18-4 goal differential. Domestically, marked a period of expansion for the FPF, as it transitioned the to professional status in , featuring eight teams primarily from and , with Alianza Lima securing the inaugural title. The federation also promoted amateur leagues and initiated the formation of regional associations to broaden participation beyond the urban centers, though growth remained uneven due to logistical barriers. Political instability, including the 1930 military coup led by Luis Sánchez Cerro and subsequent governmental shifts under , intermittently affected tournament continuity, forcing postponements and adaptations in scheduling. Throughout the interwar years, the FPF grappled with substantial challenges, including scarce infrastructure—most pitches and facilities were confined to —and chronic funding shortages that limited player development and programs. These constraints hindered the sport's nationwide proliferation, keeping elite competition dominated by coastal clubs while rural areas saw only sporadic amateur play. Despite these obstacles, the federation's efforts laid foundational structures for future growth, emphasizing organization amid economic and political turbulence.

Major milestones

The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) has overseen the national team's participation in five tournaments, in 1930, 1970, 1978, 1982, and 2018, with the team's best performance reaching the quarter-finals in 1970. Peru's achievements in the include two titles, won in 1939 and 1975, the latter during a tournament hosted by . A significant emerged in amid allegations of match-fixing in domestic competitions, prompting government interference in FPF operations and leading to a suspension of the federation to enforce its autonomy. This event spurred internal reforms, culminating in the successful qualification for the 2018 World Cup under coach , marking Peru's return to the tournament after 36 years. In November 2024, FPF president Agustín Lozano was arrested as part of an into , , , and the misuse of federation funds. Despite this, he was reelected in August 2025 for the 2025-2030 term with nearly 95% of the votes, highlighting persistent governance challenges. In 2018, the FPF advanced women's through the launch of the Girls Academy, a key initiative to develop young female talent and promote the sport's growth at the grassroots level. The federation marked its centennial in 2022 with nationwide celebrations, reflecting on its role in Peruvian sports history. Infrastructure efforts in the included the expansion and modernization of the Videna sports complex, which features dedicated facilities managed by the FPF and was redeveloped ahead of the .

Organizational Structure

Headquarters and facilities

The main headquarters of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) is situated at Avenida Aviación 2085 in the San Luis district of , , serving as the central administrative hub for the organization. This location has housed the federation's operations within the broader Villa Deportiva Nacional (VIDENA) complex since its development in the late , providing a dedicated space for governance and coordination of national football activities. The VIDENA complex functions as the primary facility for the FPF, encompassing multiple training grounds, a dedicated stadium with a capacity exceeding 1,000 spectators, and integrated administrative offices. These amenities are primarily utilized for preparing the national teams, including technical sessions, fitness training, and tactical preparations, making it a cornerstone for elite-level development in . Beyond the central , the FPF maintains regional offices aligned with Peru's 25 departments, facilitating local , talent , and coordination of departmental through affiliated ligas departamentales. Additionally, the federation supports youth development through dedicated programs at VIDENA, established in the to nurture emerging talents via structured training and initiatives. Following Peru's qualification for the , the FPF has invested significantly in upgrading VIDENA facilities, with a major remodelación announced in 2023 totaling over $12 million from Forward funds and internal resources. These enhancements include expanding to three training fields (combining natural turf with synthetic reinforcement for durability), installing professional lighting systems on the main field, constructing a new concentration hotel, a medical center, and a corporate administrative building, thereby incorporating advanced technology to support high-performance training.

Leadership and presidents

The president of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) is elected every four years by the General Assembly, consisting of representatives from affiliated clubs and associations, and holds responsibility for directing the federation's overall strategy, managing financial operations, and handling international relations with bodies like and . Throughout its history, the FPF has seen numerous leaders, with early figures such as Claudio Martínez Bodero, who served as the inaugural from 1922 to 1924, laying foundational structures. More recent presidencies have been marked by longer tenures and significant challenges; Manuel Burga held the position from 2002 to 2014, the longest-serving in the federation's modern era, during which he navigated Peru's return to international prominence but faced later scrutiny over . Edwin Oviedo succeeded him, leading from 2014 until his suspension in 2018 amid investigations into allegations related to peddling and . Agustín Lozano has been since 2018, initially assuming the role following Oviedo's detention, and was re-elected in August 2025 for the 2025–2030 term with 95% of the vote in an by the General Assembly. The election process, governed by FPF statutes aligned with guidelines, involves nominations from member entities followed by a vote in the General Assembly, typically held at the federation's Videna headquarters in . Controversies have frequently shadowed these elections; for instance, Lozano's 2025 re-election occurred amid widespread criticism from fans and journalists over his prior management, including vocal discontent expressed in media and social platforms decrying perceived mismanagement of national team performance. Earlier, in November 2024, Lozano was briefly arrested as part of an into an alleged criminal involving misuse of funds in sports projects, but he was released after 13 days when a ruled insufficient for continued , allowing him to resume duties. Key contributions from recent presidents include Oviedo's early efforts to implement internal audits and measures in FPF operations prior to his , aimed at addressing longstanding issues. Under Lozano, notable advancements have focused on , with the increasing annual investments to over $1.23 million for the Liga Femenina by 2025, resulting in expanded professional structures and improved international competitiveness for the senior women's team since the league's inception in 2020; additionally, his administration has prioritized preparations for Peru's 2026 qualifying campaign, including infrastructure upgrades at the Videna training complex approved by and .

Administrative staff

The administrative staff of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) supports the governance and operations of Peruvian football through a structured team and specialized departments. As of 2025, the key leadership includes President Agustín Lozano, re-elected on August 18, 2025, for a term extending until 2030, overseeing overall strategic direction. The s are Lander Alemán, serving as first , and Luis Alberto Duarte as second , assisting in . Sabrina Martin serves as General Secretary, managing administrative and legal affairs. The executive team also features Jean Ferrari as Director General de Fútbol, appointed on August 1, 2025, to lead football operations and development initiatives. In September 2025, Manuel Barreto was named interim Technical Director, responsible for coordinating national team coaching and selections. These appointments reflect post-re-election adjustments to enhance technical and managerial efficiency following the August 2025 assembly. The FPF's Board of Directors comprises approximately 15 members, including the president, vice presidents, treasurer Fredi Salazar, and directors such as Claudio Limaylla, Gabriela Moreno, Raúl Lozano, Osías Ramírez, Juan Rickets, Fredy Inga, and José del Solar, who contribute to policy formulation and oversight. Operationally, the FPF is divided into key departments to manage its mandates. The Competition Department oversees domestic leagues and tournaments, ensuring regulatory compliance and scheduling. The National Teams Department coordinates coaching staff, player selections, and training programs for senior and youth squads. The Marketing and Finance Department handles sponsorships, including a partnership with Claro as the official sponsor for all national teams across genders and age groups. The Women's Football Department, bolstered by initiatives like the 2018 FIFA Girls Academy launch, focuses on promoting and developing women's and girls' football through dedicated programs and competitions. The structure further includes standing committees for , , and , which address governance, fiscal responsibility, and initiatives as outlined in the FPF statutes. These elements ensure comprehensive administration aligned with and standards.

Domestic Competitions

Men's leagues

The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) oversees the men's professional and semi-professional leagues, forming a hierarchical structure with between tiers to foster competitive across the country. Liga 1 serves as the top-tier professional league, established in 1926 as the Campeonato Descentralizado and rebranded as Liga 1 in 2019. For the 2025 season, it features 19 teams competing in an Apertura phase followed by a Clausura phase, with separate standings for each that contribute to a cumulative table determining relegation, qualification for tournaments, and entry into playoffs. The bottom teams in the cumulative table face relegation to Liga 2, while the top performers advance to postseason playoffs for the national title. Liga 2, the second division, has operated since 1943 as a pathway for regional talent and has evolved into a 15-team competition for 2025, incorporating teams relegated from Liga 1 and promoted from lower tiers. The format begins with a dividing the teams into two groups for double matches, followed by a with two championship groups of seven teams each and a descent group, culminating in playoffs where the top two teams earn promotion to Liga 1 for 2026. The last-placed team in the descent group is relegated to Liga 3. Introduced in 2025 as the third tier to integrate amateur and semi-professional clubs, Liga 3 comprises 37 teams drawn from qualifiers, reserve sides from higher divisions, and relegated clubs. The season unfolds in a Regional with four geographic groups playing two rounds, advancing the top four from each to a Final of four groups, where the top two per group proceed to an eight-team playoff; the champion ascends to Liga 2 in 2026, and the runner-up enters a playoff against the runner-up. The FPF affiliates over 200 clubs nationwide, spanning , semi-, and levels to support development. Broadcast partnerships enhance accessibility, with Gol Perú securing rights for Liga 1 matches starting in 2020 under the FPF's centralized model.

Women's leagues

The Liga Femenina, the top-tier women's football competition in Peru, traces its origins to 1996 when the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) launched the Campeonato Metropolitano de Fútbol Femenino as the inaugural organized tournament. This marked the formal beginning of structured women's domestic football, initially focused on metropolitan teams before expanding nationally. By , the format transitioned to a nationwide league, incorporating regional elements to broaden participation. A pivotal advancement occurred in 2020, when the FPF enacted Resolution No. 014-2020-FPF to professionalize women's football, establishing minimum standards for player contracts, training, and club infrastructure. This initiative aligned with broader efforts to elevate the sport following heightened visibility from the in , where the Peruvian women's national team competed and sparked public interest in domestic development. The current structure, in place since 2018 and expanded in subsequent years, features 12 teams competing in two annual tournaments—Apertura and Clausura—each following a single format among all participants. For the 2025 season, dubbed Liga Femenina Apuesta Total, the league includes prominent clubs such as Alianza Lima and Universitario, with fixtures broadcast on open channels like América TV to increase accessibility. Alianza Lima won the Apertura tournament, while Universitario claimed the Clausura title on November 15, 2025, defeating Alianza Lima on penalties; the overall champion will be decided in a national final between the two. Alianza Lima has emerged as the dominant force, claiming titles in the 2021, 2022, and 2024 seasons, while Universitario holds the record for most overall championships with ten. Growth has been bolstered by integration with men's professional clubs, enabling shared resources and talent pathways; examples include Universitario Femenino, affiliated with the storied , and Alianza Lima's women's section, which leverages the club's facilities and scouting networks. Regional qualifiers feed into the top flight, drawing from over 150 teams across lower divisions and leagues, encompassing more than 4,000 registered players nationwide. FIFA has played a key role in this expansion through funded development programs, starting with the 2018 launch of the FIFA Girls Academy, which established training centers in , , , and for approximately 1,955 young players aged 11-16. Ongoing FIFA Forward initiatives since 2020 have supported league capacity building, administrator training, and infrastructure upgrades, contributing to the 2025 expansion to 12 teams as part of a strategy for sustainable professionalization. Despite these strides, women's leagues continue to grapple with significantly lower funding than their men's counterparts, with national team players earning around $175 monthly as of 2020 and limited sponsorship opportunities persisting. The FPF's women's department provides administrative backing, but challenges like stereotypes and resource disparities remain, even as the league aims to solidify its professional status with further expansions targeted by 2027.

Cup and other tournaments

The Copa Perú is the premier knockout tournament for amateur and lower-division clubs in Peru, established by the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) in 1967 to provide a pathway for non-professional teams from across the country to compete nationally and earn promotion. Unlike regular league competitions, it emphasizes regional representation and culminates in crowning a non-league champion that ascends to the professional ranks, specifically to Liga 2, with the runner-up also gaining promotion in recent formats. The tournament's structure consists of five progressive stages: the Provincial Stage, where local qualifiers determine departmental representatives; the Departmental Stage, involving inter-provincial matches; the Regional Stage, grouping winners by Peru's 25 regions; the National Stage, featuring 32 teams in a bracket format; and the Final Stage, a knockout series leading to the championship match. This multi-tiered approach ensures broad participation, with over 1,000 teams entering annually, fostering grassroots development while maintaining competitive integrity through home-and-away ties in early rounds and neutral venues for later stages. As of 2025, the winner qualifies for the Supercopa Peruana and receives direct promotion, underscoring the FPF's commitment to decentralizing talent scouting beyond Lima-based clubs; the final is scheduled for November 16, 2025, between Unión Minas and ANBA Perú. Complementing the , the Supercopa Peruana serves as an annual single-match showdown between the Liga 1 champion and the winner, introduced by the FPF in to bridge professional and amateur and kick off the domestic calendar with high-stakes excitement. The format is straightforward: a one-off fixture played in a neutral venue, typically in February, with 90 minutes of regulation time followed by extra time or penalties if necessary, adhering to standard FPF rules for substitutions and officiating. This event not only celebrates the prior season's top performers but also provides the champion—a non-league —with exposure against elite opposition, enhancing the tournament's prestige and viewership. Since its , it has featured memorable clashes, such as the inaugural match won by Atlético Grau over Binacional, and continues to evolve as a key FPF initiative for competitive balance. In the realm of futsal, the FPF oversees the men's , also known as Liga Futsal Pro or División de Honor de Fútbol Sala, which began operations in 2002 and formalized its professional structure by 2003 with 12 teams competing in a format followed by . Organized annually since its founding, the league features two rounds of matches among the 12 clubs, with the top four advancing to semifinals and a final to determine the champion, who represents in competitions. This setup promotes tactical innovation in the fast-paced indoor variant, with teams like Universitario and Alianza Lima dominating recent editions. The women's counterpart, the Primera División Futsal Femenino, was launched in 2018 as a developmental league under FPF auspices to expand opportunities in the sport, starting with a smaller cohort of teams in a similar and playoff model focused on skill-building and national team talent identification. Both leagues emphasize youth integration and infrastructure growth, with the men's division serving as a stable platform since 2003 and the women's edition prioritizing expansion amid rising participation rates. The FPF also administers key youth tournaments to nurture future stars at the club level, including the Campeonato Nacional Sub-20 and Sub-17, annual club competitions that select players for national squads through regional qualifiers and a national phase culminating in finals. These championships, held yearly, involve teams from Liga 1, Liga 2, and select amateurs in group stages followed by knockouts, providing essential competitive experience for players aged 17-20 and 15-17, respectively, and directly feeding into international youth events. Complementing these, the Torneo de Promesas targets under-15 prospects, structured as a regional and development series organized by the FPF's Unidad Técnica de Menores, featuring matches across departments to identify and train emerging talents through workshops, trials, and showcase games. This initiative, integrated into the FPF's broader juvenile framework like the Torneo Élite Federación, emphasizes holistic growth, with participants advancing to higher categories based on performance evaluations.

National Teams

Senior men's team

The senior men's national football team of Peru, known as La Blanquirroja, is governed by the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF), which has organized the team since its inception in 1927. The FPF oversees all aspects of the team's operations, including player selection, training camps, and international competitions, in alignment with and regulations. As of November 2025, the team is led by interim Manuel Barreto, who was appointed following a transitional period in the . In November 2025, the team played international friendlies, including a match against on November 12. Player selection for the senior men's team primarily draws from standout performers in the domestic Liga 1, supplemented by Peruvian players competing abroad, with the head coach and FPF technical staff evaluating form, fitness, and tactical fit through scouting and performance data. The team's traditional home kit features a white shirt with a distinctive red diagonal sash, white shorts, and white socks, symbolizing national colors and worn in major tournaments. Notable achievements include winning the 1975 , where Peru defeated 1-0 in the final playoff after a stage, marking their second continental title. The team also qualified for the after a 36-year absence, securing a playoff victory over via penalties following a 0-0 draw. ranks as the second all-time top scorer with 27 goals in 102 appearances, behind Paolo Guerrero's 41 goals in 129 caps. In recent campaigns, Peru exited the group stage of the without scoring a goal, earning one point from a 0-0 draw against while losing 0-1 to and 0-2 to , finishing last in Group A. The qualifying campaign concluded in October 2025 with Peru in ninth place after 18 matches, recording two wins, six draws, and ten losses for a total of 12 points, failing to secure direct qualification or a playoff spot.

Senior women's team

The senior women's national team, known as La Blanquirroja, is managed by the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) under its women's football initiatives, which coordinate , competitions, and for female players. The team was established in 1996, with the FPF formalizing the program and appointing its first dedicated coach to build a competitive structure from grassroots levels. As of November 2025, Argentine Antonio Spinelli serves as , having been appointed on September 12, 2025, to lead preparations for upcoming qualifiers and tournaments, including the ongoing Women's Nations League. The team's international debut came at the 1998 Sudamericano Femenino in , where it achieved a historic third-place finish after advancing from the group stage and securing bronze via penalties in the third-place match against . This remains Peru's best performance in the competition, highlighting early potential despite limited prior experience. In more recent editions, the team finished sixth at the in , demonstrating improved organization but struggling against regional powerhouses. Peru also qualified automatically as hosts for the women's football tournament at the in , reaching the fifth-to-eighth playoff stage before placing eighth overall after losses to and . Since 2018, the FPF has partnered with on development programs, including the launch of the inaugural FIFA Girls Academy to nurture young talent through structured training in four regions, aiming to expand participation and technical skills in women's football. These initiatives have supported the emergence of key players like midfielder Mia León, a 20-year-old prospect playing professionally for in , who brings international experience to the squad. Despite progress, the team faces challenges such as limited international exposure, with infrequent friendlies and qualifiers contributing to a FIFA ranking of 82nd as of August 2025, which hampers consistent match practice and global competitiveness. Current goals center on qualifying for the through the Women's Nations League, where Peru seeks to build on recent qualifier appearances, including a 1-4 loss to in October 2025, to secure one of the confederation's direct spots or playoff opportunities.

Youth and futsal teams

The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) oversees the country's youth national football teams, including the under-20 (U-20), under-17 (U-17), and under-15 (U-15) squads, which regularly compete in CONMEBOL's South American youth championships to develop talent and qualify for tournaments. The U-17 team marked a significant achievement by finishing as runners-up in the , hosted in , where they advanced to the final stage but fell to , earning a spot in the subsequent in . This result highlighted the team's competitive progress, with consistent annual participations in the tournament fostering player growth and international exposure. The U-20 squad has competed in every edition of the South American U-20 Championship since its inception, serving as the primary qualifier for the , though it has not yet advanced to the global event. In the 2025 edition held in , the team participated in Group B but finished last with zero points from four matches, missing qualification despite efforts to build on prior experiences. The U-15 team focuses on foundational development through regional and preparatory competitions, emphasizing skill-building for progression to higher age groups. The FPF also manages the men's and women's national futsal teams, integrating them into broader talent pipelines. The men's team, established under FPF governance, debuted internationally in 1986 with a match against Hungary in Budapest and achieved its largest victory, a 9-1 win over Bolivia, in 2013 during a regional qualifier. Affiliated with CONMEBOL since the sport's regional formalization, the team competed in the de Futsal in Paraguay, placing in Group B with results including a 1-5 loss to Uruguay and a 0-6 defeat to Brazil, before exiting in the 5th-10th place classification after a 0-14 loss to Colombia. The women's team, an emerging program since 2018, is similarly controlled by the FPF and has begun competing in international fixtures, with contributions from figures like Olienka Salinas in its technical setup to promote growth in the discipline. To support these teams, the FPF implements development initiatives such as widespread and academies, exemplified by the effort that identified 15,000 young players nationwide, selecting 1,000 for specialized development centers focused on U-14 and U-16 boys to nurture future national team prospects. These programs include international youth tours for exposure and tie into pathways for versatile talent identification. Infrastructure at the Villa Deportiva Nacional (VIDENA) complex in features dedicated facilities, including a coliseum for training and matches, aiding both youth football and preparation under the FPF's Plan Maestro for modernization.