Germany vs Paraguay Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
Four-time world champions Germany are beginning their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages with a Round of 32 clash against Paraguay in Boston on Monday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Germany preview: Some concerns
Germany have some concerns over their performance level at the moment, despite winning Group E with a game to go. That is because they hammered Curacao by seven goals to one before then coming from behind to defeat Cote d'Ivoire in their second game.
Those victories, which involved Die Mannschaft concede a shock equaliser against the debutant minnows Curacao and fortunate not to lose against the Ivorians, were followed by a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador. Germany went ahead early on but were fairly beaten by the Ecuadoreans in New York/New Jersey.
Paraguay preview: Scraping through
Paraguay have squeezed their way into the knockout stages of a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010. The South Americans collected four points from their three group stage matches, finishing third in Group D.
The Paraguayans began their tournament by being blown away by co-hosts the USA, losing by four goals to one in Los Angeles. After that, they then produced a surprise win against Turkiye in a game in which Miguel Almiron was sent off just before half-time. Paraguay then got themselves through in a mutually beneficial goalless draw against Australia.
Germany team news: Brown to come back in
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown, reportedly set for a move to Bayern Munich, missed out against Ecuador due to injury but he is expected to be fit and available, ready to start here.
There is another defensive injury issue for the Germans with Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck having been ruled out for the rest of the tournament, with Antonio Rudiger likely to start instead.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Unavailable: Schlotterbeck (Injured)
Questionable: Brown (Fitness)
Paraguay team news: Couple of injuries
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Sunderland centre-back Omar Alderete was forced off through injury against Australia and he is now a major doubt for this one alongside former Nottingham Forest winger Ramon Sosa.
As well as that, Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Diego Gomez is now missing through suspension for this one, while Miguel Almiron has returned from his one-match ban.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Balbuena, Maidana; Cubas, Galarza; Almiron, Enciso, Mauricio; Avalos
Unavailable: D. Gomez (Suspended)
Questionable: Alderete (Injured), Sosa (Injured)
Germany’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Joshua Kimmich ($5.5m) – Defender
Jamal Musiala ($8.0m) – Midfielder
Kai Havertz ($7.8m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Kai Havertz
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Joshua Kimmich, Kai Havertz
Free kicks: Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich
Corners: Florian Wirtz, Joshua Kimmich, Nathaniel Brown
Paraguay’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Julio Enciso ($6.6m) – Midfielder
Miguel Almiron ($6.0m) – Midfielder
Matias Galarza ($4.8m) – Midfielder
Matchday 4 captain pick: Julio Enciso
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Julio Enciso
Free kicks: Julio Enciso
Corners: Diego Gomez
Key stats
- The only World Cup meeting between the teams was in the Round of 16 at the 2002 edition of the competition when Germany recorded a 1-0 victory courtesy of an 88th minute goal from Oliver Neuville.
- This is Germany’s first appearance in the knockout rounds since 2014, when they last won the tournament.
- Germany have won eight of their last nine World Cup knockout round matches (L1).
- None of Germany’s last 56 World Cup matches have finished goalless. Their last 0-0 was in the quarter-finals against Mexico in 1986 – a tie they subsequently won via a penalty shootout.
- Manuel Neuer could make his 23rd FIFA World Cup appearance, moving him level in joint-fifth with Paolo Maldini in the list of top appearance-makers in FIFA World Cup history.
- Paraguay have now qualified for the knockout stages in five of their last six World Cup participations.
- The 2010 edition marked Paraguay’s best-ever World Cup performance, as they reached the quarter-finals for the first time. They were narrowly eliminated by eventual champions Spain, with David Villa scoring the decisive goal in the 83rd minute.
- Paraguay have lost their four World Cup knockout round matches against European teams – the last three by a 1-0 scoreline.
- Paraguay are aiming to win a knockout tie for the second time. Their only previous success in five attempts was a penalty shootout victory against Japan in the 2010 round of 16 following a 0-0 draw. They have yet to score a goal in a knockout match at the finals.
- Paraguay have kept five clean sheets in their last seven World Cup matches.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Germany vs Paraguay prediction
There are some concerns for Germany to deal with, with Julian Nagelsmann receiving a lot of criticism from the German media and Germany supporters.
Paraguay were blown away with a slow start against the USA but have returned to being difficult to beat and defensively solid, which helped them lose just two of their last 13 CONMEBOL qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup after the appointment of Gustavo Alfaro.
Paraguay may well prove to be stubborn opposition but Germany have to remain the firm favourites. The Germans have their worries but they may be tested more at a later date, especially with France their potential opponents in the quarter-finals.
Germany vs Paraguay betting tip: Germany to win -1 handicap
