Back on the global stage for the first time since 2010, Paraguay arrives with grit, belief, and a proud World Cup tradition
PARAGUAY 🇵🇾
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group D
The Big Picture
Paraguay is back at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010, ending a 16-year wait for one of South America’s proudest football nations.
La Albirroja returns with a resilient new generation determined to build on the country’s best-ever World Cup run: the quarter-final finish at South Africa 2010.
Coach
Gustavo Alfaro took charge of Paraguay in August 2024 at a difficult moment in the qualification campaign, with the team sitting on just five points from six matches.
The Argentine coach quickly changed the mood around the squad, losing only once in his first 12 matches and guiding Paraguay back to the World Cup with a clear identity based on fight, discipline, and defensive strength.
Group D Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 12 | United States vs Paraguay | Los Angeles Stadium |
| June 19 | Türkiye vs Paraguay | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| June 25 | Paraguay vs Australia | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
Road to 2026
Paraguay qualified through the CONMEBOL round-robin campaign, finishing sixth and securing one of South America’s direct places at the expanded 48-team World Cup.
Along the way, La Albirroja earned statement victories against Brazil and Argentina, proving that the team can compete with the continent’s biggest powers.
World Cup History
- Confederation: CONMEBOL
- World Cup appearances: 9
- Best result: Quarter-finals (2010)
- Last appearance: South Africa 2010 – Quarter-finals
- First appearance: Uruguay 1930
- All-time World Cup record: 27 matches, 7 wins, 10 draws, 10 losses, 30 goals scored, 38 conceded
The Best World Cup Run
Paraguay’s greatest World Cup came in 2010, when La Albirroja topped Group F ahead of Slovakia, New Zealand, and defending champions Italy.
After eliminating Japan on penalties in the Round of 16, Paraguay pushed eventual champions Spain to the limit in the quarter-finals before falling 1-0 to a late David Villa goal.
The First World Cup
Paraguay was one of the nations invited to the inaugural FIFA World Cup in Uruguay in 1930.
After losing 3-0 to the United States, Paraguay bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Belgium, though it was not enough to reach the knockout stage.
Legendary Players
Nelson “Pipino” Cuevas is Paraguay’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with three goals, including a memorable brace against Slovenia in 2002.
Denis Caniza and Roque Santa Cruz share the national record for most World Cup appearances, with 12 matches each.
Players to Watch
- Miguel Almirón – Creative attacking leader with pace and Premier League experience.
- Julio Enciso – Explosive young forward capable of producing spectacular moments.
- Gustavo Gómez – Defensive leader and symbol of Paraguay’s fighting spirit.
- Diego Gómez – Energetic midfielder with intensity and ball-carrying ability.
Greatest World Cup Moments
The 2010 quarter-final against Spain remains the defining World Cup match in Paraguay’s history. Óscar Cardozo missed a penalty, Justo Villar saved one from Xabi Alonso, and La Albirroja came within minutes of forcing extra time against the future champions.
France 1998 also remains unforgettable, when Paraguay held eventual champions France scoreless for 113 minutes before Laurent Blanc scored the first golden goal in World Cup history.
2026 Expectations
Paraguay does not return simply to participate. La Albirroja arrives with grit, defensive toughness, and the belief that another historic run is possible.
PARAGUAY
Goalkeepers
- #1 Roberto Fernández (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay)
- #12 Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo, Argentina)
- #22 Gastón Olveira (Club Olimpia, Paraguay)
Defenders
- #2 Gustavo Velázquez (Cerro Porteño, Paraguay)
- #3 Omar Alderete (Sunderland, England)
- #4 Juan José Cáceres (Dynamo Moscow, Russia)
- #5 Fabián Balbuena (Grêmio, Brazil)
- #6 Júnior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro, Brazil)
- #13 José Canale (Lanús, Argentina)
- #15 Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras, Brazil)
- #26 Alejandro Maidana (Talleres, Argentina)
Midfielders
- #7 Diego Gómez (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)
- #14 Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada)
- #16 Damián Bobadilla (São Paulo, Brazil)
- #18 Julio Enciso (River Plate, Argentina)
- #20 Braian Ojeda (Orlando City, United States)
- #23 Matías Galarza (Atlanta United, United States)
Forwards
- #8 Ramón Sosa (Palmeiras, Brazil)
- #9 Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese, Italy)
- #10 Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United, United States)
- #11 Mauricio Almirón (Palmeiras, Brazil)
- #17 Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Al Ain, United Arab Emirates)
- #19 Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia, Argentina)
- #21 Gabriel Ávalos (Independiente, Argentina)
- #24 Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth, England)
- #25 Isidro Pitta (Red Bull Bragantino, Brazil)
Head Coach
- Gustavo Alfaro (Argentina)
