Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup: Team Preview, Roster, Predictions to Win

Paraguay head into the 2026 World Cup as a team reclaiming its old footballing role. For a long time, Paraguay were one of the most awkward national teams in South America: tough, disciplined, uncomfortable to play against, capable of playing for results and disrupting the plans of favorites. Then came a pause. After reaching the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup, Paraguay missed three tournaments in a row — 2014, 2018, and 2022. That is why qualification for the 2026 World Cup is seen not simply as another appearance, but as the country’s return to the level where it has historically been used to belonging. For Paraguay, this will be a ninth World Cup appearance, with the national team’s best result still the 2010 quarterfinal.

The main intrigue for Paraguay at this tournament is whether Gustavo Alfaro’s team can turn its qualifying surge into a result at the World Cup itself. In qualifying, Paraguay finished sixth in CONMEBOL, collected 28 points, and earned South America’s final direct spot. It was not a flashy path with lots of goals, but a classic Paraguayan route: reliable defending, patience, duels, a compact midfield, and the ability to squeeze the maximum out of a small number of chances.

Paraguay’s footballing identity is clear. This is a team that does not need possession to feel comfortable. Its strength lies in defensive structure, duels, set pieces, and transitions. Gustavo Gómez and Omar Alderete give the team a powerful central axis in defense, Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, and Damián Bobadilla help hold the midfield, while up front there are players capable of deciding a moment: Miguel Almirón, Julio Enciso, Antonio Sanabria, and Ramón Sosa.

Group D looks difficult, but workable. The United States are playing at home and will have huge support from the stands. Turkey are dangerous through attacking talent and emotional football. Australia are physically strong, disciplined, and know how to play tournament matches. For Paraguay, this is a group without an obvious unstoppable favorite on the level of Brazil or France, but with three opponents against whom they cannot afford a poor start. The main target is to fight for second place, and with the right scenario, even first.

Road to the 2026 World Cup

Paraguay’s road to the World Cup was very revealing. The team started qualifying unconvincingly, spent a long time in the danger zone, and could have missed the tournament again. But after Gustavo Alfaro arrived, the national team changed sharply. Paraguay returned to its old foundation: compactness, aggression in duels, patience, and the belief that even against a favorite it can play for a result. Under Alfaro, the team earned important wins over Brazil and Argentina, then calmly finished the campaign with the result it needed.

Qualification was officially secured after a goalless draw against Ecuador on September 4, 2025. That result ensured Paraguay’s first World Cup appearance in 16 years. The match was not beautiful, but it perfectly reflected the team’s essence: do not open up, do not give the opponent space, withstand pressure, and take the result that is needed.

The final note of qualifying was a 1-0 win over Peru in Lima. Matías Galarza scored in the 78th minute, and Paraguay finished qualifying with 28 points and sixth place. For tournament psychology, this matters: the team did not merely crawl over the line, but closed qualification with an away win.

Before the World Cup, Paraguay are holding their final preparation at home. Their last warm-up match before departure is against Nicaragua on June 5 at Defensores del Chaco. This is not only a squad check, but also an emotional farewell to the supporters before the tournament.

For Paraguay, this World Cup is not just a return. It is a test of how much Alfaro’s team has truly restored its competitiveness. In South America, Paraguay have already proved that they can be awkward for favorites. Now they need to show the same in a group where the opponents’ styles will be completely different: the home energy of the United States, Australia’s physicality, and Turkey’s technique.

Coach

Paraguay’s head coach is Gustavo Alfaro. His appointment became a turning point for the national team. The Argentine specialist arrived in August 2024 after an unsuccessful spell for the team and received a contract through the 2026 World Cup. Before that, he worked with Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup and coached Costa Rica, so he understood the specifics of international football well: little training time, lots of pressure, and the need to quickly build structure from players based at different clubs.

Alfaro is a pragmatic coach. He is not trying to turn Paraguay into a team that dominates through possession. On the contrary, he is restoring what has always been the national team’s strength: density, character, duels, defensive reliability, and attention to detail. For Paraguay, this is the right path. The team does not have the attacking depth of Brazil or Spain, but it does have defenders, midfielders, and forwards who fit result-oriented football well.

Alfaro’s main achievement is that he has restored the team’s identity. Paraguay again look like a national team that is unpleasant to play against. They may not create many chances, but almost every match remains tense. They do not fall apart under pressure, are not afraid to defend low, and know how to make opponents nervous.

At the 2026 World Cup, Alfaro will need flexibility. Against the United States, Paraguay may play more cautiously, focusing on counterattacks and set pieces. Against Turkey, they will need to control the emotional tempo and stop the opponent from accelerating through central areas. Against Australia, they will have to accept a lot of physical duels and win second balls. One plan will not work for all three rounds.

Playing System and Tactics

Paraguay can play in a 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, or 4-3-3. But the system is not as important as the basic principles. Alfaro’s team is built on compactness between the lines, aggressive work in midfield, and quick forward passes after regaining possession. Paraguay will not seek possession for the sake of control. They are more comfortable suffering, compressing space, and waiting for the moment to break forward sharply.

In defense, the key area is the center. Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Fabián Balbuena, and Junior Alonso give the team experience and physicality. This line can withstand pressure, but it needs help from midfield. If Paraguay allow opponents to receive the ball freely between the lines, even strong center-backs will come under constant threat.

In midfield, Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, Matías Galarza, and Braian Ojeda are important. This is the group that must do the heavy work: win second balls, block passes, stop opponents from accelerating, and deliver the ball to the attacking players at the right time. The main question is the quality of the first pass after winning possession. If Paraguay simply clear the ball forward, the attack will quickly lose its connection with the team. If the midfield can find Almirón, Enciso, or Sanabria, Paraguay will become far more dangerous.

In attack, Paraguay do not look star-studded, but they have different options. Antonio Sanabria is a forward for finishing and duels in the box. Julio Enciso is a player for an unconventional moment, dribbling, and shooting. Miguel Almirón brings pace, movement, and experience. Ramón Sosa and Gustavo Caballero can add wide dynamics. Óscar Romero and Alejandro Romero Gamarra are more experienced options for matches where the team needs to hold the ball and make the right decisions.

Set pieces are a separate focus. For Paraguay, this is a traditional weapon. In Group D, it may be especially important. The United States and Australia are physically strong, but Paraguay also know how to play in the air. Turkey may leave spaces when defending set pieces. If Paraguay win corners and free kicks, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, and Fabián Balbuena become a genuine threat.

Roster

Paraguay’s final roster for the 2026 World Cup has already been formed. It includes an experienced defensive base with Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Fabián Balbuena, and Junior Alonso, a hard-working midfield with Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, and Matías Galarza, as well as attacking options in Miguel Almirón, Julio Enciso, Antonio Sanabria, Ramón Sosa, and Gustavo Caballero.

Goalkeepers

In the final roster, Paraguay’s goalkeeping line is built around Roberto Fernández. He looks like the main candidate for the number one role: experienced, long established in the national team system, and suited to the style of a team that needs not only to stop shots, but also to remain calm under pressure.

Gastón Oliveira is a strong competitor, especially considering his club form and his status as one of the notable goalkeepers in Paraguayan football. Orlando Gill and Carlos Coronel also remain options for the tournament. For Alfaro, choosing the goalkeeper is no less important than choosing the striker: Paraguay will play a lot from defense, and one save can decide the fate of a match.

Defenders

The defensive line is Paraguay’s main strength. The roster includes Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Fabián Balbuena, Junior Alonso, Juan Cáceres, Diego León, Blas Riveros, Agustín Sández, Gustavo Velázquez, Alan Benítez, José Canale, Saúl Salcedo, Mateo Gamarra, and Ronaldo Dejesús.

Gustavo Gómez is the captain-like center of this line. He gives the team leadership, aerial ability, and toughness. Omar Alderete is important because of his experience, physicality, and ability to defend in a compact block. Fabián Balbuena and Junior Alonso add experience, while Juan Cáceres and Diego León provide younger options.

The main defensive question is pace. Against the United States, Paraguay will have to defend against wide attacks and runs in behind. Against Turkey, they will face players who can find space between the lines. Against Australia, they will deal with crosses, set pieces, and duels. That means Alfaro must choose not simply the most established defenders, but the right combination for each match.

Midfielders

Paraguay’s midfield looks functional and fairly deep. The roster includes Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, Álvaro Campuzano, Robert Piris da Motta, Matías Galarza, Damián Bobadilla, Braian Ojeda, Maurício, Diego González, Hugo Cuenca, Enso González, and Rodney Redes.

Andrés Cubas is important as a ball-winner and a player who closes the space in front of the defenders. Diego Gómez is one of the key young resources: he can progress the ball, join attacks, and add tempo to the team. Damián Bobadilla brings balance, while Matías Galarza has already proved his importance in the key match against Peru.

For Paraguay, midfield is the area where almost everything will be decided. If the team loses the center, the defense will come under constant pressure. If the midfield can win second balls and launch attacks quickly, Paraguay will become a very awkward opponent even for the United States.

Forwards

The attacking group in the roster is wide: Julio Enciso, Miguel Almirón, Antonio Sanabria, Ramón Sosa, Óscar Romero, Gabriel Ávalos, Álex Arce, Isidro Pitta, Ronaldo Martínez, Carlos González, Robert Morales, Gustavo Caballero, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Adrián Alcaraz, and Rubén Lezcano.

Sanabria looks like the main candidate for the center-forward role. He gives the team finishing, duels, and experience. Enciso is a player who can change a match with one burst or one shot. Almirón is vital for transition attacks. Ramón Sosa and Caballero can provide width, pace, and freshness.

The main attacking problem is finishing consistency. Paraguay are unlikely to create many chances in every group match. That means the forwards must be as precise as possible. One unused chance against the United States or Turkey could cost a place in the knockout stage.

Key Players

Gustavo Gómez

Club: Palmeiras
Position: Center-back

Gustavo Gómez is Paraguay’s main leader. He is important not only as a defender, but as a symbol of the team’s entire idea. Toughness, concentration, aerial play, the ability to organize the line, and character all make him the central figure of the national team.

His role at the 2026 World Cup will be enormous. Against the United States, he must help stop quick wide attacks and prevent the hosts from entering the box easily. Against Turkey, he must control players between the lines and stop the opponent from finding free spaces. Against Australia, he must win aerial duels and set pieces.

If Gómez plays consistently, Paraguay will be able to keep matches low-scoring. And that is exactly the scenario that suits Alfaro’s team.

Miguel Almirón

Club: Atlanta United
Position: Attacking midfielder / winger

Almirón is one of Paraguay’s main attacking players. His value lies in speed, movement, and the ability to accelerate transitions. Paraguay will not constantly have possession, so a player who can move the attack into the opponent’s half in a few seconds is especially important.

He can play from the flank, move inside, and look for space between the lines. For Paraguay, it is important that Almirón does not become cut off from the team. If the midfield delivers him the ball quickly, he can create chances even against stronger opponents.

Against the United States, Almirón could become the key to counterattacks. Against Turkey, he can punish turnovers. Against Australia, he is the player who adds tempo in a match where it is easy to get stuck in duels.

Antonio Sanabria

Club: Cremonese
Position: Forward

Sanabria is Paraguay’s main forward by role. In qualifying, he became one of the team’s most important players, scoring key goals and helping the national team survive in matches where chances were scarce.

His task at the World Cup will be simple, but difficult: convert the little that the team creates. Paraguay will not play attacking football with a dozen scoring chances per match. Sanabria must be ready for one chance, one cross, one rebound.

In addition to goals, he is needed for duels. If Sanabria holds the ball up, Paraguay get the chance to escape pressure. If the center-forward loses every duel, the team starts returning to its own box too quickly.

Julio Enciso

Club: Strasbourg
Position: Attacking midfielder / forward

Enciso is Paraguay’s most unconventional attacking player. He can beat opponents one-on-one, shoot from distance, speed up an attack, and create a chance when the team has produced nothing positionally. For a national team with a pragmatic style, that kind of footballer is especially valuable.

His role in the group stage may change. In some matches, he will be needed from the first minute to add creativity. In others, he may be a weapon from the bench when the opponent is tired and starts leaving more space.

The main question is consistency. Enciso can produce a bright moment, but Paraguay need his decisions to be not only spectacular, but also useful for the structure. If he plays within the team plan, Paraguay’s attack will become much more dangerous.

Omar Alderete

Club: Sunderland
Position: Center-back

Alderete is the second most important defender after Gómez. He gives the team power, aggression, and confidence in duels. Paraguay build many matches through a compact block, and the center-backs must withstand constant pressure without unnecessary mistakes.

His aerial play will be especially important against Australia. Against the United States and Turkey, his ability to cover teammates and avoid losing runs in behind will matter. Together with Gómez, he can give Paraguay one of the strongest central defensive pairings in the group.

Strengths

Paraguay’s main strength is defensive structure. Alfaro’s team know how to play compactly, avoid opening up unnecessarily, and force opponents to look for difficult solutions. This is especially important at the World Cup, where the brightest team does not always win. Often, it is the team that controls risks better that goes further.

The second strength is character. Paraguay have historically been strong in matches where they need to suffer, fight, and avoid being physically outmatched. In Group D, that quality will be in demand constantly. The United States will press with crowd energy and tempo, Australia with duels, and Turkey with emotion and individual quality.

The third strength is central defense. Gómez, Alderete, Balbuena, and Alonso give the team experience and power. Paraguay may be behind their opponents in attacking pace or squad depth, but they are difficult to overpower directly.

The fourth strength is set pieces. The team has players for deliveries and footballers who know how to attack the ball in the box. In an even group, one corner can decide the fate of second place.

The fifth strength is the coach. Alfaro has already shown that he can quickly assemble a team and play against higher-profile opponents. For Paraguay, that matters: at the World Cup, it is not enough to have a roster — the team must understand exactly how to use its strengths.

Weaknesses

The main weakness is a limited attacking ceiling. Paraguay have good players up front, but not the depth or star power of the tournament’s main favorites. If Almirón, Enciso, or Sanabria are not in form, it may be difficult for the team to create chances from open play.

The second issue is dependence on a low scoreline. Paraguay are comfortable when the match is at 0-0, 1-0, or 1-1. But if the team concede first and the opponent sits deeper, it becomes harder for them to break down a defense. In Group D, this could become a problem, especially against Australia or Turkey.

The third issue is pace on the defensive flanks. The central defense is strong, but the flanks can be vulnerable against quick wingers and full-backs. The United States will almost certainly test Paraguay through width.

The fourth issue is discipline. Paraguay play hard, and that is part of their strength. But at the World Cup, unnecessary cards can quickly become a problem. One early foul, one sending-off, or one suspension for a leader — and Alfaro’s entire plan can fall apart.

Group and Opponents

Paraguay will play in Group D with the United States, Turkey, and Australia. The 2026 World Cup format gives more opportunities to reach the knockout stage: the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams reach the round of 32. For Paraguay, this is an important safety net. The team can fight for second place, but even third position with four points could become a workable scenario.

Paraguay’s group schedule in Moscow time: June 13, 04:00 — match against the United States at Los Angeles Stadium; June 20, 06:00 — match against Turkey at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium; June 26, 05:00 — match against Australia at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

The United States are the most important opening opponent. This is the host team, playing with powerful support from the stands. For Paraguay, the main thing is to survive the first 20–25 minutes, avoid giving the hosts an early goal, and gradually drag the match into a more sticky scenario. If Paraguay withstand the early pressure, they will have chances through set pieces and counterattacks.

Turkey are the most dangerous opponent in terms of individual attacking quality. The Turks can play emotionally, accelerate sharply, and create chances through technique. For Paraguay, this is a match where they cannot lose midfield and cannot allow opponents to receive the ball freely between the lines. A draw here could be a good result, while a win would be a huge step toward the knockout stage.

Australia are potentially the key match. The Australians are physically strong, well organized, and know how to play tournament football. This match could turn into a battle for every cross, every second ball, and every set piece. For Paraguay, this is a familiar style, but Australia cannot be underestimated: they are rarely comfortable to play against.

The optimal formula for Paraguay is to avoid defeat against the United States, take points from Turkey, and beat Australia. In reality, even four points could leave the team in a strong position. On Winio, you can follow Paraguay match analysis and predictions for every World Cup fixture.

World Cup History

Paraguay have a strong but uneven World Cup history. The team played at the tournaments in 1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010, and now return in 2026. Their best result is the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup. Back then, Paraguay won their group, beat Japan on penalties in the round of 16, and lost 1-0 to Spain in the quarterfinals. Spain eventually became world champions, while Paraguay stopped one step short of a historic semifinal.

The special feature of Paraguay’s history is that the team has rarely been a flashy favorite, but has often remained awkward. In 1998, Paraguay reached the round of 16 and lost only in extra time to France, the eventual champions. In 2002, they again reached the knockout stage. In 2010, they achieved their best result. That generation shaped the image of Paraguay as a national team that must not be underestimated.

After 2010, a decline began. Three missed World Cups in a row became a painful blow. For a country where football plays an enormous role, this was not just a sporting disappointment, but a feeling of lost identity. That is why qualifying for the 2026 World Cup matters in itself: Paraguay are back among the strongest.

But returning is only the first step. Now the team must prove that it has come not for memories of the past. It has a coach who restored structure and a roster capable of competing. The question is whether that will be enough for a first knockout-stage appearance since 2010.

Tournament Prediction

The realistic scenario for Paraguay is a fight for second or third place in the group. The United States will have the advantage of hosting the tournament, Turkey are dangerous through attacking talent, and Australia are physically strong. But Paraguay have exactly what matters in the group stage: defense, set pieces, character, and coaching structure.

A good scenario is reaching the round of 32. For that, the team needs to collect at least four points. A win over Australia and a draw against the United States or Turkey would be a sufficient foundation. If Paraguay win one of their first two matches, their playoff chances will rise sharply.

The maximum scenario is the quarterfinals. That would repeat the best result in national team history. Such a run would require an almost perfect combination: reliability from Gómez and Alderete, strong form from the goalkeeper, Sanabria’s goals, Enciso’s creativity, Almirón’s energy, and a favorable bracket.

It is difficult to talk about Paraguay winning the World Cup. The team do not have the depth or attacking quality of France, Brazil, Spain, England, or Argentina. Paraguay can knock out a strong opponent in one match, but winning the whole tournament is an almost unrealistic scenario.