LIMA, Perú.- Venezuela's head coach, Fernando Batista, has his sights set firmly on a win in the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifier against Peru, set to take place this Tuesday at the National Stadium in Lima. Batista, focused on his team's growth and point accumulation, is not concerned with Peru's current standing at the bottom of the qualifying table with just one point.

In a press conference held on Monday following the Venezuelan team's arrival in the Peruvian capital, Batista stated that he doesn’t consider Peru a direct rival in the quest for a World Cup spot. He acknowledged that while some teams are experiencing a period of strong performance, his primary aim in Lima, where Venezuela has yet to secure a victory, is to achieve a positive outcome and continue enhancing team performance.

A win would significantly bolster Venezuela's position, bringing them to 11 points and widening the gap with Peru. However, Batista emphasized that the journey through the qualifiers is still long. Beyond the immediate goal of winning, Batista expressed his desire to further cement the team's playing style.

Upon their arrival in Lima, the Venezuelan team, known as La Vinotinto, received an enthusiastic welcome from hundreds of Venezuelan supporters who gathered at their hotel. The fans, demonstrating their fervent hope for a victory against Peru, held a flag-waving event and continuously chanted in support of their team. Batista and his players stepped out to express gratitude for the support, with fans indicating their plans to turn out in large numbers at the National Stadium in Lima.