Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 40
Group: D
Confederation: CONMEBOL
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Quarter-finals (2010)

History

Paraguay made their World Cup debut in 1930 and have appeared at the tournament nine times in total, including 2026. Their most memorable campaign came at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time, defeating Japan on penalties in the round of 16 before losing narrowly to eventual champions Spain. Paraguay have never won the World Cup. The 2026 tournament marks their first appearance since 2010, ending a 16-year absence.

Qualification

Paraguay qualified automatically by finishing sixth in the final CONMEBOL standings with 28 points, one of the six automatic berths. The turnaround under coach Gustavo Alfaro, appointed in mid-2024 after a disappointing Copa America, was remarkable: Paraguay went on an eight-match unbeaten run that included wins over Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. They finished eight points clear of seventh-placed Bolivia, securing direct passage to the World Cup without needing an inter-confederation playoff.

Preparation

Paraguay held March 2026 friendlies in Europe (a 1-0 win over Greece and a 2-1 loss to Morocco) as part of Alfaro's preparation. On June 1, 2026 Alfaro announced his final 26-man World Cup squad, headlined by captain Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Miguel Almiron, striker Antonio Sanabria, and young talents Julio Enciso and Diego Gomez. As a home send-off, Paraguay play a farewell friendly against Nicaragua at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion on June 5, 2026 (19:15 local), with the delegation due to travel to the United States on June 6. Paraguay open their Group D campaign against the United States on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, then face Turkey on June 20 and Australia on June 25.

Latest news

Paraguay to play farewell friendly vs Nicaragua before World Cup

Mon 1 Jun · matches

Before travelling to the United States, Paraguay will host Nicaragua in a send-off friendly at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion on Friday June 5, 2026 (kickoff 19:15 local). The APF framed the match as part of the build-up to the 2026 World Cup; the delegation is set to fly to the USA on June 6.

apf.org.py · 2026-06-02
diarioparaguayo.com · 2026-06-02

Alfaro names Paraguay's final 26-man World Cup squad

Mon 1 Jun · squad

Coach Gustavo Alfaro announced Paraguay's definitive 26-player World Cup 2026 squad on June 1, with only three home-based players. Forward Isidro Pitta (RB Bragantino) was the last man called up the previous night. Alejandro "Kaku" Romero (Al Ain) and Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth) made the cut, while Angel Romero, Mathias Villasanti and Alan Benitez were among those left out.

futbolfantasy.com · 2026-06-02
asunciontimes.com · 2026-06-02
sports.yahoo.com · 2026-06-02
abc.com.py · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Roberto Fernández	GK	Cerro Porteño
Orlando Gill	GK	CA San Lorenzo de Almagro
Gastón Olveira	GK	Olimpia Asunción
Gustavo Gómez	DF	SE Palmeiras
Junior Alonso	DF	Atlético Mineiro
Fabián Balbuena	DF	Grêmio
Omar Alderete	DF	Sunderland AFC
Juan José Cáceres	DF	Dynamo Moscow
Gustavo Velázquez	DF	Cerro Porteño
José Canale	DF	CA Lanús
Alexandro Maidana	DF	CA Talleres
Isidro Pitta	FW	Red Bull Bragantino
Miguel Almirón	MF	Atlanta United FC
Alejandro Romero Gamarra	MF	Al Ain FC
Andrés Cubas	MF	Vancouver Whitecaps
Braian Ojeda	MF	Orlando City SC
Diego Gómez	MF	Brighton & Hove Albion
Damián Bobadilla	MF	São Paulo FC
Matías Galarza	MF	Atlanta United FC
Julio Enciso	MF	RC Strasbourg
Mauricio	MF	SE Palmeiras
Ramón Sosa	FW	SE Palmeiras
Antonio Sanabria	FW	US Cremonese
Gabriel Ávalos	FW	CA Independiente
Álex Arce	FW	Independiente Rivadavia
Gustavo Caballero	FW	Portsmouth FC