Paraguay team profile - FIFA World Cup 2026
In the build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico, we shine a spotlight on Paraguay.
FIFA World Ranking: 40
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Who is Paraguay’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Paraguay’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Gustavo Alfaro. One of six Argentine managers at the tournament, the former Ecuador and Costa Rica boss took charge of Paraguay in August 2024.
Who is Paraguay’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Paraguay’s captain for the tournament is experienced centre-back Gustavo Gomez. The 33-year-old defender has skippered his nation since 2019, leading the South Americans into three CONMEBOL Copa America campaigns but now his first FIFA World Cup as captain.
How many times have Paraguay participated in a FIFA World Cup before 2026?
8 – 1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010
What is Paraguay’s best performance at a FIFA World Cup?
Quarter-Final – 2010
How did Paraguay qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026?
The expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams means that six teams automatically qualify from South America, rather than four, and the Paraguayans were the team that squeezed in in sixth spot, albeit only below Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil on goal difference and just one point behind second place Ecuador.
Prior to Gustavo Alfaro’s appointment as head coach, Paraguay had scored just one goal and collected five points from their opening six matches. But he sparked a turn of fortunes almost immediately with a goalless draw in Uruguay before a 1-0 defeat of Brazil in his opening two matches in charge.
The rest of their qualifying campaign would continue to be extremely impressive and Paraguay officially secure qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026 on September 4, 2025.
Who are Paraguay’s star players?
The captain, Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), was instrumental to Paraguay’s major improvement under the management of Alfaro, a key cog in the defence that conceded just ten goals in their 18 qualifiers, with only Ecuador conceding fewer than them.
Alongside Gomez in the heart of their defence will be Omar Alderete (Sunderland), who has enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League since joining the Black Cats from Getafe last summer, with former West Ham United defender Fabian Balbuena (Gremio) also an option at the back.
Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) is perhaps the best known of Paraguay’s attackers but they also have some really interesting options and exciting talents, too, such as Diego Gomez (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Julio Enciso (Strasbourg).
Who is in Paraguay’s group at FIFA World Cup 2026?
USA
Paraguay
Australia
Turkiye
Paraguay’s Group D fixtures are as follows:
USA v Paraguay: Friday June 12, 2026 – 9:00pm ET, 2:00am UK (Saturday)
Turkiye v Paraguay: Friday June 19, 2026 – 12:00am ET, 5:00am UK
Paraguay v Australia: Thursday June 25, 2026 – 10:00pm ET, 3:00am UK (Friday)
All kick-off dates are based on a local kick-off time
Where is Paraguay’s base camp at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Spartan Soccer Complex, San Jose, California
Expert prediction for Paraguay’s chances at FIFA World Cup 2026
Group D is perhaps the most evenly matched set of four teams in the entire tournament with Paraguay returning to a FIFA World Cup for the first time since South Africa in 2010.
That does mean they lack experience at the level but the same can be said for the Turks, who haven’t been at the tournament since 2002 – and they will also believe they can prey on the pressure of hosts USA and the more limited quality of the Australians.
Paraguay made themselves extremely difficult to beat in qualification for the tournament, especially after the appointment of Alfaro, and so that may again be the case here.
However, there is a reliance on the often frustratingly ineffective, albeit easy on the eye and hard-working, Almiron and Enciso, with Diego Gomez likely to have to pick up a lot of the creative work given the limitations of their veteran attack, such as Oscar Romero, Angel Romero and Tonny Sanabria.
Paraguay may not be blown away but scoring goals and finding a way through may be difficult against all three opponents this summer.
What round will Paraguay reach at FIFA World Cup 2026? Group Stage
