Piero Hincapie starts the qualification games from a Black and Red perspective. Ecuador entertain table-toppers Brazil on Thursday, 27 January (kick-off: 22.00 CET). They then face Peru six days later (2 February, 03.00 CET).
The Werkself player and his fellow countrymen are currently third in the South American World Cup qualification group with a six-point lead over Colombia in fourth. The top four places ensure qualification for the tournament in Qatar. The fifth-placed team goes into the play-offs.
Hincapie’s teammate Charles Aránguiz and Chile are up against second-placed Argentina – this time without Leverkusen players Lucas Alario and Exequiel Palacios. That match is on Friday, 28 January, at 01.15 CET. Aránguiz and Co. then play Bolivia on 1 February (kick-off: 21.00 CET).
Chile are currently sixth in the South American group and just one point behind the teams in fourth and fifth. There are still four games to play – so it is still possible for them to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Upcoming international fixtures:
Piero Hincapie (Ecuador)
Thursday, 27 January (22 .00 CET): Ecuador vs Brazil
Wednesday, 2 February (03.00 CET): Peru vs Ecuador
Charles Aránguiz (Chile)
Friday, 28 January (01.15 CET): Chile vs Argentina
Tuesday, 1 February (21.00 CET): Bolivia vs Chile
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Nine matches against teams from nine countries, two penalty shoot-outs won, and encounters that went far beyond football: As with last year, the Inklusionswerkself enjoyed an extraordinary week at the Genuine Cup 2026 in Houston, USA, and made memories that will last a lifetime. This year, the Leverkusen side took part as Germany’s official representatives and, accordingly, took to the pitch in Germany kit. Together with 53 teams from 53 nations, the Black and Reds once again sent a powerful message of inclusion and participation – and also impressed on the pitch by winning their group.
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