In their return to the FIFA World Cup, Paraguay aims to establish a strong defensive stance as they head into the tournament after a notable absence since 2010, when they faced eventual champions Spain.
Qualification Overview:
Paraguay secured their spot as one of the six automatic qualifiers from South America, finishing ahead of Bolivia who were positioned seventh in the standings.
2026 World Cup Group Stage Schedule:
- June 12: Paraguay vs. United States — Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California (9 p.m. ET)
- June 20: Paraguay vs. UEFA Playoff C (Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, Romania)— San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (12 a.m. ET)
- June 25: Australia vs. Paraguay — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (10 p.m. ET)
Group D Overview
The teams in Group D for the 2026 FIFA World Cup include the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of UEFA Playoff C.
Historical World Cup Appearances:
- 1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010
Best Performance:
- 2010 — Quarterfinals
Key Players for Paraguay:
- Julio Enciso: A promising forward, showing potential with 4 goals in 29 appearances.
- Diego Gomez: An emerging midfielder expected to make an impact this summer, along with Manchester United’s Diego Luna, if he secures a spot in the final lineup.
Paraguay is known for its strong defensive capabilities, highlighted by their proficient defenders, Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderete.
Manager:
Gustavo Alfaro, an experienced figure in South American soccer, previously managed Ecuador during the 2022 World Cup and took charge of Paraguay in 2024, bringing a solid defensive strategy to the team.
All-Time Leading Scorer:
- Roque Santa Cruz with 32 goals, known for his time with clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
All-Time Caps Leader:
- Paulo da Silva, holding a record of 148 caps and history with clubs across various leagues.
Nickname and Country Information
- Team Nickname: Los Guaraníes, La Albirroja
- Population: Approximately 7.05 million
- Capital: Asunción
