Former Argentine national player Ricardo Gareca is set to lead Chile’s national soccer team as the new head coach to the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The 65-year-old succeeds his compatriot Eduardo Berizzo at “La Roja”, who resigned last November. “Welcome, Professor,” wrote the Chilean association when announcing Gareca’s signing.
Six qualifying games left until November
Gareca can get to know his team at the Copa América in the USA and get excited for the six World Cup qualifiers that follow until November.
In the South American elimination, Chile is currently in eighth place among ten teams after only one win so far, behind their rivals Paraguay, who have the same points. The gap to record world champions Brazil in sixth place, which still means a World Cup place, is two points.
Chile is Gareca’s second stop as head coach of a national team. The football teacher sat on the bench at Peru from 2015 to 2022.