Paraguay vs Australia Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
In Group D, we have a crucial game as both Paraguay and Australia face off against each other seeking to push themselves into the knockout stages in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – FOX One
Paraguay preview: Paraguayans with a big win
Paraguay come into this one on the back of a slender but desperately needed 1-0 defeat of Turkiye in their second game, edging past the Turks with the earliest goal of the tournament so far, at the time of writing, from Matias Galarza from distance.
Miguel Almiron was sent off just before half-time but the Paraguayans remained resolute in the second half of that game, which was also something they needed to show after being beaten 4-1 by co-hosts the USA in their opening game in Los Angeles.
Australia preview: Beaten in Seattle
In Seattle in their second game of the tournament, Australia succumbed to a 2-0 loss to the USA due to a Cameron Burgess own goal early on before Alex Freeman sealed a comfortable victory for the Americans shortly before half-time.
The Socceroos had started their campaign with a backs-against-the-wall display against Turkiye, whereby they came out 2-0 winners courtesy of counter-attacking goals scored by Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe with Tony Popovic's side putting in an excellent defensive performance.
Paraguay team news: Almiron suspended
Former Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron was sent off against Turkiye and so he is now missing through suspension for this one with Mauricio, who scored against the USA, likeliest to come into the eleven.
The Paraguayans are dealing with some other injury issues as Matias Galarza and Diego Gomez face late fitness tests but they are expected to be risked.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Cubas, Galarza; Sosa, D. Gomez, Mauricio; Enciso
Unavailable: Almiron (Suspended)
Questionable:
Australia team news: Unpredictable Popovic
Australia boss Tony Popovic is unpredictable when it comes to his selections, making the big calls to drop both Mat Ryan and Jackson Irvine ahead of their opener scorers against Turkiye, Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda were then dropped against the USA.
Irankunda is expected to come back into the eleven to go alongside Mohamed Toure in attack, while Mathew Leckie is unavailable. Jacob Italiano is also now sidelined through injury.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Beach; Circati, Souttar, Burgess; Geria, O'Neill, Okon-Engstler, Metcalfe, Bos; Irankunda, Toure
Unavailable: Italiano (Injured), Leckie (Injured)
Questionable:
Paraguay’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Omar Alderete ($4,1m) – Defender
Julio Enciso ($6.6m) – Midfielder
Matias Galarza ($4.8m) – Midfielder
Matchday 3 captain pick: Julio Enciso
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Julio Enciso
Free kicks: Julio Enciso
Corners: Diego Gomez
Australia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Jacob Italiano ($4.2m) – Defender
Jordan Bos ($4.0m) – Defender
Nestory Irankunda ($5.1m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Nestory Irankunda
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Ajdin Hrustic
Free kicks: Nestory Irankunda, Ajdin Hrustic
Corners: Ajdin Hrustic
Key stats
- This is the first competitive meeting between the sides. Australia are undefeated in their five friendly encounters, all at home, winning two – including the most recent, 1-0 in Sydney in October 2010 – and drawing three.
- Paraguay have lost only two of their last eight World Cup matches (W3 D3).
- Paraguay have kept four clean sheets in their last six World Cup group stage encounters.
- Paraguay are aiming to win two matches in a World Cup group for the first time.
- Paraguay have qualified for the knockout rounds in four of their last five World Cup participations.
- Australia have qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds twice, firstly in 2006 and more recently at the last edition in 2022.
- Australia are aiming to win two matches in a FIFA World Cup group stage for only the second time, having achieved the feat for the first time in 2022.
- The last of Australia head coach Tony Popovic’s eight international goals for Australia (across 58 appearances) was scored against Paraguay in a Brisbane friendly in September 2006 (1-1).
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Paraguay vs Australia prediction
Paraguay appointed Gustavo Alfaro after five games of CONMEBOL qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026 and the South Americans suffered just two defeats in their final 13 games, showing a resilience that they rediscovered against Turkiye last time out.
The Australians are a very conservative side and that got them a famous win against Turkiye before playing too much into that in the hostile atmosphere of Seattle in their second game.
Both sides thrive and get their best results when attempting to simply be difficult to beat and a draw here would suit both sides very much as it would send both through and so a low-scoring encounter seems a decent bet for this one.
Paraguay vs Australia betting tip: Under 2.5 goals
