Paraguay 2026 World Cup Preview: Squad, Schedule, Odds & Best Bets
Paraguay returns to the FIFA World Cup after a 16-year absence, relying on a robust and experienced defence under manager Gustavo Alfaro. Their qualification was built on low-scoring, disciplined performances, making them tough opponents. While strong at the back and equipped with Premier League talent in Diego Gomez and exciting attackers like Julio Enciso, expectations of a lengthy run are low. Still, Paraguay could surprise in Group D against USA, Turkey, and Australia, with value in betting on low-scoring games rather than an outright win.
- Paraguay return to the World Cup after 16 years
- Defensive strength saw them get through the qualifiers
- Miguel Almiron & Julio Enciso are key players in attack
Paraguay are back at the World Cup after a 16-year absence. Known for their defensive prowess, that solidity is likely to be their calling card at the tournament.
Drawn in a competitive group alongside co-hosts USA, a fourth appearance in the knockout rounds wouldn't surprise.
La Albirroja have the experienced Gustavo Alfaro in charge and with strong players in key positions, Paraguay will be confident of defying expectations.
World Cup History
Paraguay's deepest run at the World Cup came in 2010 when they topped a group including Slovakia, New Zealand and Italy. They held Japan to a 0-0 draw in the Round of 16 before coming through a penalty shootout.
The South American's pushed eventual champions Spain to the limit in a narrow 1-0 quarter-final loss, conceding in the 83rd minute.
| Year | Host | Stage Reached |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Uruguay | Group Stage |
| 1950 | Brazil | Group Stage |
| 1958 | Sweden | Group Stage |
| 1986 | Mexico | Round of 16 |
| 1998 | France | Round of 16 |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Round of 16 |
| 2006 | Germany | Group Stage |
| 2010 | South Africa | Quarter-finals |
The Road to 2026 - Keeping it Tight
Paraguay’s qualification was built on defensive resilience. Finishing 6th in South America, they only scored 14 goals but were breached just 10 times, equal with table topping Argentina.
La Albirroja specialised in grinding out low-scoring results, frustrating opponents and squeezing the life out of matches.
The Manager - Gustavo Alfaro
The architect behind Paraguay’s qualification is veteran Argentine tactician Gustavo Alfaro. Appointed in August 2024, he guided Ecuador to the 2022 World Cup where they went out in the group stage.
Alfaro has restored Paraguay's defensive values, turning them into an organised and pragmatic team. He is likely to continue with employing low blocks and attempting to hit the opposition on counter attacks.
The Squad - Strength in Defence
Paraguay have an experienced defence, six of their eight defenders aged 29 or older. Fabian Balbuena, Junior Alonso and Gustavo Gomez all ply their trade in the Brazilian Serie A.
Brighton & Hove Albion's Diego Gomez adds Premier League experience to the midfield. Julio Enciso is an excitement machine and former Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron is the top scorer in the squad with nine goals.
| Pos | Player | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Roberto Fernandez | 38 | Cerro Porteno |
| GK | Orlando Gill | 25 | San Lorenzo |
| GK | Gaston Olveira | 33 | Olimpia |
| DF | Gustavo Velazquez | 35 | Cerro Porteno |
| DF | Omar Alderete | 29 | Sunderland |
| DF | Juan Jose Caceres | 26 | Dynamo Moscow |
| DF | Fabian Balbuena | 34 | Gremio |
| DF | Junior Alonso | 33 | Atletico Mineiro |
| DF | Jose Canale | 29 | Lanus |
| DF | Gustavo Gomez | 33 | Palmeiras |
| DF | Alexandro Maidana | 20 | Talleres |
| MF | Ramon Sosa | 26 | Palmeiras |
| MF | Diego Gomez | 23 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| MF | Miguel Almiron | 32 | Atlanta United |
| MF | Mauricio | 24 | Palmeiras |
| MF | Andres Cubas | 30 | Vancouver Whitecaps |
| MF | Damian Bobadilla | 24 | Sao Paulo |
| MF | Kaku | 31 | Al Ain |
| MF | Braian Ojeda | 25 | Orlando City |
| MF | Matias Galarza | 24 | Atlanta United |
| MF | Gustavo Caballero | 24 | Portsmouth |
| FW | Antonio Sanabria | 30 | Cremonese |
| FW | Alex Arce | 30 | Independiente Rivadavia |
| FW | Julio Enciso | 22 | Strasbourg |
| FW | Gabriel Avalos | 34 | Independiente |
| FW | Isidro Pitta | 26 | Bragantino |
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Roberto Fernandez; Juan Caceres, Gustavo Gomez, Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso; Diego Gomez, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla; Miguel Almiron, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso
Players to Watch
Gustavo Gomez: The veteran captain is the leader and physical enforcer at the back. Dominant in aerial duels and crucial for organising Paraguay's low block, he offers a threat on set pieces.
Diego Gomez: A dynamic box-to-box midfielder for Brighton, he offers Premier League experience, work rate and is capable of scoring important goals.
Julio Enciso: Enciso is blessed with dynamic dribbling and provides unpredictability across the front line. Armed with a long range shot, he scored 12 goals and added nine assists for Strasbourg last season.
Miguel Almiron: As one of Paraguay's most experienced players, Almiron provides a creative spark from either wing.
Group D Fixtures
Paraguay have one of the best schedules at the World Cup, all three group games to be played in California. They start against co-hosts United States before facing Turkey and Australia.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 12 | United States | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood |
| June 19 | Turkey | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
| June 25 | Australia | Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara |
Topping Group D will see Paraguay take on a third placed team in the Round of 32 before facing the winners of Group G, likely to be Belgium.
Finishing second would see the South American's side meet Egypt before a tough Round of 16 clash against the winners of Group H, expected to be Spain.
2026 World Cup Winner Odds
Paraguay have little chance of winning the World Cup which is reflected in the betting market. They can be backed at 150/1 alongside Austria and Canada.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spain | 5.50 |
| France | 6.00 |
| England | 7.00 |
| Brazil | 9.00 |
| Argentina | 9.00 |
| Portugal | 11.00 |
| Germany | 15.00 |
| Netherlands | 21.00 |
| Norway | 26.00 |
| Belgium | 34.00 |
| Colombia | 34.00 |
| Japan | 51.00 |
| Morocco | 51.00 |
| USA | 67.00 |
| Uruguay | 67.00 |
| Switzerland | 81.00 |
| Mexico | 81.00 |
| Turkey | 81.00 |
| Croatia | 81.00 |
| Ecuador | 101.00 |
| Senegal | 126.00 |
| Sweden | 126.00 |
| Austria | 151.00 |
| Paraguay | 151.00 |
| Canada | 151.00 |
| Scotland | 251.00 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 251.00 |
| Ivory Coast | 301.00 |
| Egypt | 301.00 |
| Czech Republic | 301.00 |
| Ghana | 401.00 |
| Algeria | 401.00 |
| South Korea | 501.00 |
| Australia | 501.00 |
| Tunisia | 501.00 |
| Iran | 501.00 |
| DR Congo | 751.00 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1001.00 |
| South Africa | 1001.00 |
| New Zealand | 1501.00 |
| Panama | 1501.00 |
| Iraq | 1501.00 |
| Uzbekistan | 1501.00 |
| Qatar | 2001.00 |
| Cape Verde | 2001.00 |
| Jordan | 2501.00 |
| Haiti | 3001.00 |
| Curacao | 3501.00 |
Group D Winner Odds
Paraguay are placed behind co-hosts USA and Turkey in Group D. They will be quietly confident of producing a shock and can be backed at 1.50 to get out of the group.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| United States | 2.35 |
| Turkey | 2.75 |
| Paraguay | 4.75 |
| Australia | 8.00 |
Source: Stake.com and correct on 4 June 2026
Verdict
I am staying away from any outright markets for now, instead turning to under 2.5 goals in all three of their group games.
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