Group D · Match 4Full time
- D. Bobadilla (OG) 7'
- F. Balogun 31'
- F. Balogun 45'+5'
- T. Adams 59'
- G. Reyna 90'+8'
- J. Cáceres 10'
- M. Almirón 53'
- Maurício 73'
- D. Gómez 79'
- A. Arce 88'
- J. Alonso 90'+3'
Paraguay
Group DFIFA ranking #39CONMEBOLPAR
First World Cup since 2010
Profile
La Albirroja ended a 16-year World Cup absence with a gritty, hard-fought qualifying campaign under Gustavo Alfaro that typified everything that makes Paraguayan football so admirable. They conceded fewer goals than any other CONMEBOL qualifier, reflecting a defensive solidity and collective discipline that has always defined the Red and Whites. True to tradition they are organised, streetwise and extremely dangerous from set pieces — a genuinely uncomfortable opening opponent for hosts United States at SoFi Stadium. Miguel Almirón returned to MLS but retained the creativity that made him a Premier League crowd favourite at Newcastle. Julio Enciso brings Ligue 1 technical quality that belies Paraguay's modest resources. The squad is not built for glamour but for results: Paraguay have always produced tournament surprises, and reaching the last 16 from a group containing the United States, Australia and Türkiye is achievable for a side that refuses to be counted out.
Paraguay fixtures
Group D · Match 31Full time
- E. Elmali 71'
- M. Galarza 2'
- M. Galarza 4'
- M. Almirón 45'+3'
Group D · Match 60Full time
- D. Gómez 77'
- J. Irvine 46'
Round of 32 · Match 75AET · Pens
- K. Havertz 54'
- K. Havertz 106'
- J. Musiala 115'
- J. Kimmich (P) 120'
- J. Musiala (P) 120'
- N. Amiri (P) 120'
- J. Enciso 42'
- A. Cubas 65'
- M. Galarza 117'
- Maurício (P) 120'
- G. Gómez (P) 120'
- M. Galarza (P) 120'
- J. Canale (P) 120'
Round of 16 · Match 90Full time
- B. Barcola 19'
- K. Mbappé (P) 70'
- M. Koné 81'
- M. Olise 90'+7'
Players to watch
Miguel Almirón
Midfielder · Atlanta United
Paraguay's most recognisable international, Almirón won Premier League fans over with relentless pressing and late-arriving goals at Newcastle before returning to MLS. His energy, directness and technical quality at the highest level make him the creative spark in a side built primarily on defensive solidity and collective effort.
Julio Enciso
Forward · Strasbourg
One of Paraguay's most exciting young talents, Enciso made an immediate impression in English football with precision strikes from distance and clever movement. Now established in Ligue 1, his technical ability and eye for goal make him the most dangerous attacker in a Paraguay squad that relies heavily on his invention.
Antonio Sanabria
Forward · Cremonese
An experienced centre-forward who has led the line in Serie A across multiple clubs, Sanabria gives Paraguay an aerially powerful target man who can bring others into play. His experience in Italian football and physical resilience make him ideal for the attritional, set-piece-heavy style that Paraguay embrace.
Group D table
Group D
Top 2 advance · best 3rds may qualify| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1United States | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +4 | 6 |
| 2Australia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 3Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 4 |
| 4Türkiye | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 3 |