Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup

Paraguay arrive at the 2026 World Cup carrying genuine optimism after navigating a demanding CONMEBOL qualification campaign to secure their place at the finals. Ranked 35th in the world by FIFA, the Albirroja are not among the favourites to lift the trophy, yet they bring a squad that blends experienced campaigners with a generation of young talents who have caught the eye at club level across Europe and North America. It is a tournament return that means a great deal to a footballing nation that has always punched above its weight on the biggest stages, and the expectation in Asunción is that this group can go deeper into the competition than many outside observers will anticipate.

Group D context

Group D presents Paraguay with a genuine opportunity to reach the knockout rounds, though it will demand focus and tactical discipline from the first whistle. The expanded 48-team format means three sides from each group progress, which eases the margin for error compared with previous tournaments, yet the group stage remains unforgiving for any side that fails to find its rhythm early. Paraguay will need to be well organised and clinical in front of goal if they are to accumulate the points required to advance. Their CONMEBOL pedigree gives them a hardiness that is difficult to replicate, and that competitive resilience could prove decisive in tight encounters. A solid opening fixture could set the tone for the entire group phase.

Manager: Alfaro Moreno

Alfaro Moreno takes charge of Paraguay at what is arguably the most important moment in his managerial tenure. His work in guiding the Albirroja through the CONMEBOL qualifying rounds demonstrated a capacity to get results in a notoriously unforgiving regional competition, where every point is contested fiercely and the margins between success and failure are extraordinarily slim. Moreno has shown a preference for organised, compact defensive structures without sacrificing the ability to transition quickly into attack, a balance that suits the personnel available to him. His man-management has been credited with coaxing good form from several players whose club careers have taken different trajectories, and he has shown a willingness to trust younger squad members rather than defaulting automatically to established names. How he sets up Paraguay against varied opposition in Group D will define the early narrative of their campaign.

Squad and key players

Paraguay's squad is a thoughtful blend of experience and emerging talent. The spine of the side is anchored by senior figures who have accumulated significant international minutes, while a cluster of players in their early to mid-twenties gives Moreno versatility and the option to change the dynamic of a game from the bench or from the start. Several players have earned moves to competitive European leagues, which has sharpened their technical quality and their understanding of high-intensity football. There is genuine quality throughout the group, even if the squad lacks a single globally renowned superstar to build everything around.

• Miguel Almirón (Forward/Midfielder) At 32, Almirón remains one of the most recognisable Paraguayan footballers of his generation and provides creativity and directness in advanced areas. His ability to carry the ball at pace and find pockets of space between defensive lines gives Paraguay an important outlet when they need to unlock organised defences.
• Diego Gómez (Midfielder) The Brighton midfielder is among the most technically accomplished players in this squad and at just 23 has enormous room for growth. His composure in possession and ability to break lines with incisive passing make him a potential fulcrum for everything Paraguay do in the middle of the park.
• Julio Enciso (Midfielder/Forward) Now at Strasbourg, Enciso has demonstrated at club level that he is capable of moments of real brilliance and is one of the most exciting young players in the squad. His directness, energy, and eye for goal make him a constant threat when given space to run into.
• Gustavo Gómez (Defender) The experienced centre-back provides defensive leadership and aerial authority at the heart of the backline. At 33, he is at the peak of his command as a reader of the game and will be essential in keeping the defensive structure organised against powerful forwards.
• Antonio Sanabria (Forward) The Cremonese striker brings physicality and a willingness to work hard for the team as much as to convert chances. At 30, he is at an age where his experience of European football adds craft to what can sometimes be a raw and direct Paraguayan attacking approach.
• Matías Galarza Fonda (Midfielder) The Atlanta United midfielder has been building his international reputation and at 24 offers Moreno a dynamic option in the centre of the pitch. His work rate and ability to function effectively in both defensive and attacking phases of play could make him a key figure across multiple games.

Tactical outlook

Alfaro Moreno is likely to set Paraguay up in a shape that prioritises defensive solidarity without sacrificing the ability to hurt opponents on the counter-attack. The Albirroja have historically been a difficult side to break down, and there is every reason to expect that tradition to continue. With Gustavo Gómez and Fabian Balbuena capable of anchoring a back four or back three, the defensive unit has experience and physicality. The midfield is where the most interesting tactical questions arise, because Moreno has genuine options. Diego Gómez and Julio Enciso can provide technical quality in central areas, while Ramon Sosa and Braian Ojeda bring energy and work rate. In attack, Sanabria may lead the line with Almirón and Enciso offering support in slightly deeper positions. The key challenge will be converting possession into clear opportunities, an area where Paraguay have sometimes struggled against well-organised opposition.

Route through the tournament

A realistic assessment suggests that Paraguay's primary objective is to finish in the top three of Group D and reach the round of 32. From there, the expanded bracket means that a favourable draw in the knockout rounds is not out of the question, and a side with this level of defensive organisation and collective spirit is capable of upsetting higher-ranked opponents on a given day. The round of 16 represents a credible target, while anything beyond that would require a level of consistency and clinical finishing that this squad would need to find very quickly. The opening group fixture is critical. A positive result would generate confidence and allow Moreno to manage his squad with greater freedom in the games that follow.

Title outlook

Winning the World Cup would represent an extraordinary achievement for Paraguay and is not a realistic expectation given the competition they would face from the established global powers. That candid assessment should not diminish the pride with which this squad will compete, nor the genuine danger they can pose to any opponent on their day. Paraguay have always been at their best when dismissed and underestimated, and if they can navigate the group stage in good shape and face a winnable knockout fixture, the tournament could take on a life of its own. The squad has enough quality, organisation, and tactical intelligence to make progress, but to suggest they can go all the way would require a leap of faith that the evidence does not currently support.

Related guides

• Paraguay at the World Cup, full history.
• Group D fixtures and standings.
• World Cup 2026 hub.