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
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Australia team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Paraguay’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Omar Alderete ($4,1m) – Defender
Julio Enciso ($6.6m) – Midfielder
Miguel Almiron ($6.0m) – Midfielder
Matchday 3 captain pick: Julio Enciso
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso
Free kicks: Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso
Corners: Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron
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
- Coming soon
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
