Riga FC attacking midfielder João Grimaldo has received his first call-up to the Peru national team since October 2024. The 22-year-old will be part of the squad for Peru’s final two fixtures in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Currently on loan at Riga FC from Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade, Grimaldo has emerged as a key figure for the Latvian Virslīga leaders. Over the summer, the young Peruvian has become one of the team’s standout performers, registering four assists in five European matches and helping Riga reach the UEFA Conference League play-off round. Tomorrow, the Latvian side face the daunting task of overturning a two-goal deficit against Czech powerhouse Sparta Prague to book their place in the league phase.
Domestically, Grimaldo has featured in 19 Virslīga matches this season, scoring twice and providing five assists. All of his goal contributions have come in the last 12 matches, reflecting his steady adaptation and growing influence in Riga’s attack.
Grimaldo last appeared for Peru in October 2024, coming on as a substitute in a qualifier against Brazil. To date, he has earned eight caps for the national team, scoring once.
Peru’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain slim. After 16 matches, they sit ninth in the ten-team South American group with 12 points, trailing seventh-placed Venezuela by six points. A top-seven finish is crucial, as it offers a chance to continue the campaign via the Inter-Confederation play-off.
The national team will close out their qualifying run with two decisive matches: away to Uruguay on September 5 and at home to Paraguay on September 10.
