STAGE SET FOR PERU vs. ICELAND WORLD CUP PREPARATION MATCH MAR. 27 AT SOLD-OUT RED BULL ARENA
Teams announce rosters ahead of key encounter
Peru’s Jefferson Farfán and Christian Ramos headline roster for returning World Cup contenders while Johann Gudmundsson and Birkir Bjarnason lead the charge for debutant Iceland
CHICAGO (March 20, 2018) — The stage is set for Iceland and Peru as they head to the U.S. for a pair of international friendlies highlighted by their sold-out contest on Tuesday, Mar. 27 at Red Bull Arena (8:00 p.m.). The teams announced their travel rosters ahead of the game, which will be critical as both squads prepare for the FIFA® World Cup in Russia. The game is being presented by CMN Sports.
“We’re excited to present a match featuring two incredibly talented teams with such a tremendous following,” said Henry Cárdenas, President of CMN Sports. “We hope this will be a memorable event for everyone as countdown to the World Cup begins.”
Iceland—the smallest country by population to ever clinch a berth at the World Cup—is set to make its World Cup debut in Russia this summer. The island nation hopes to build on its recent success which included a blistering performance at Euro 2016. Head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson has called on veterans Jóhann Gudmundsson (Burnley), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City), Ragnar Sigurdsson (Rubin Kazan), Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa), and Kolbeinn Sigpórsson (Nantes) as well as newcomers Albert Gudmundsson (PSV), Hjörtur Hermannsson (Brøndby) and Samuel Fridjónsson (Valerenga). Click here to see the full roster.
“We have taken more players than usual and hopefully after this camp we will be closer to knowing which 23 players we want to take to Russia,” said Hallgrímsson. “It will be a tough game because Peru is a tactically solid, hard-working, world-class team. We look forward to playing before a full house and against a strong opponent in one of the most passionate football cities in America. It’s the perfect preparation match for us.”
After a 36-year hiatus, Peru is eager to return to the world’s biggest sporting event and boss Ricardo Gareca has assembled a roster of experienced internationals led by stalwart Alberto Rodríguez (Junior), Liga MX star Christian Ramos (Veracruz), midfield virtuoso Yoshimar Yotún (Orlando City), and star striker Jefferson Farfán (Lokomotiv Moscow). Click here to see the full roster.
The Incas, currently 11th in the FIFA® World Rankings, have made four appearances at the World Cup and are set to kick off Group C play against Denmark on June 16, followed by games against France (June 21) and Australia (June 26). Iceland, which currently takes the 18th spot in the FIFA® World Rankings, will make its first-ever World Cup appearance against Group D opponent Argentina on June 16, followed by matches against Nigeria and Croatia on June 22 and June 26, respectively.
Diana Lopez, CMN Sports
