Paraguay returns to the FIFA World Cup stage for the first time since 2010.
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After missing three consecutive tournaments, La Albirroja earned their spot the hard way — with historic home wins against both Argentina and Brazil during CONMEBOL qualifying.
This is your complete guide to everything you need to know before the 2026 tournament kicks off in North America.
Paraguay’s Match Schedule (PT)
Here is Paraguay’s full Group D schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in local venue time (PT — Pacific Time, UTC−7):
| # | Date | Match | Venue | Kickoff (PT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fri, June 12 | USA vs Paraguay | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 6:00 PM |
| 2 | Wed, June 18 | Türkiye vs Paraguay | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | 9:00 PM |
| 3 | Wed, June 25 | Paraguay vs Australia | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | 7:00 PM |
All three venues are in the Pacific Time zone (UTC−7)
- Date note: Match 2 kicks off at 9:00 PM PT on June 18, which crosses midnight into June 19 ET. It is listed as a June 19 fixture on ET-based schedules, but locally in Santa Clara it is a Wednesday night, June 18 kickoff.
Time conversion reference:
| PT | ET |
|---|---|
| 6:00 PM PT | 9:00 PM ET |
| 9:00 PM PT | 12:00 AM ET (+1 day) |
| 7:00 PM PT | 10:00 PM ET |
Key notes:
- Paraguay’s three Group D fixtures are vs USA in Los Angeles, vs Türkiye in the San Francisco Bay Area, and vs Australia in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Paraguay plays all three matches on the US West Coast — one in Los Angeles and two at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
- Two consecutive matches at the same venue (Levi’s Stadium) means minimal travel for Paraguay between matchdays 2 and 3.
- Group D consists of the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye.
Paraguay at the World Cup: History and Records
Paraguay is no stranger to the World Cup. They were among the 13 founding nations at the very first tournament in 1930.
| Year | Result | Notable Moment |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Group Stage | One of the original 13 teams |
| 1986 | Round of 16 | Reached knockout stage |
| 1998 | Round of 16 | Second consecutive knockout |
| 2002 | Round of 16 | Three straight last-16 finishes |
| 2010 | Quarter-Finals | Best-ever World Cup finish |
Their best-ever performance came in South Africa in 2010, when they beat Japan on penalties in the Round of 16 before falling to eventual champions Spain 1–0 in the quarterfinals.
Goalkeeper Justo Villar even saved a Spanish penalty in that match — but it wasn’t enough. Now, in 2026, Paraguay makes their 9th World Cup appearance and their first in 16 years.
2026 Predictions and Team Analysis
Paraguay enters 2026 as a team with real momentum. They shocked CONMEBOL by beating both Argentina and Brazil at home in qualifying.
Head coach Gustavo Alfaro is an experienced Argentinian manager who previously led Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup.
Their group is tough but winnable. The USA are strong favorites as co-hosts. Australia and Turkey are both beatable opponents if Paraguay stays disciplined.
Reaching the Round of 32 is a realistic target — and with the right result against Turkey, a knockout-stage run isn’t out of the question.
Key Strengths
- High-pressure defensive shape under Alfaro’s tactical system.
- Clinical finishing from Antonio Sanabria (4 qualifying goals).
- Creative spark from Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso.
- Leadership from captain Gustavo Gómez (85+ senior caps).
Key Weaknesses
- Limited depth in wide areas
- Historically inconsistent away from Asunción
- Opening game vs. USA is extremely difficult
Paraguay Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Roberto (Gatito) Fernández | Cerro Porteño |
| 2 | GK | Orlando Gill | San Lorenzo |
| 3 | GK | Gastón Olveira | Olimpia |
| 4 | DEF | Gustavo Gómez (C) | Palmeiras |
| 5 | DEF | Júnior Alonso | Atlético Mineiro |
| 6 | DEF | Fabián Balbuena | Grêmio |
| 7 | DEF | Omar Alderete | Sunderland |
| 8 | DEF | Juan José Cáceres | Dynamo Moscow |
| 9 | DEF | Gustavo Velázquez | Cerro Porteño |
| 10 | DEF | José Canale | Lanús |
| 11 | DEF | Alexandro Maidana | Talleres |
| 12 | MID | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United |
| 13 | MID | Andrés Cubas | Vancouver Whitecaps |
| 14 | MID | Diego Gómez | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 15 | MID | Ramón Sosa | Palmeiras |
| 16 | MID | Damián Bobadilla | São Paulo |
| 17 | MID | Braian Ojeda | Orlando City |
| 18 | MID | Matías Galarza | Atlanta United |
| 19 | MID | Maurício Magalhães | Palmeiras |
| 20 | MID | Alejandro Romero Romero | (Club TBC) |
| 21 | FWD | Antonio Sanabria | Cremonese |
| 22 | FWD | Julio Enciso | Strasbourg |
| 23 | FWD | Gabriel Ávalos | Independiente |
| 24 | FWD | Álex Arce | Independiente Rivadavia |
| 25 | FWD | Isidro Pitta | Red Bull Bragantino |
| 26 | FWD | Gustavo Caballero | Portsmouth |
How to Watch Paraguay at World Cup 2026
Paraguay has strong free-to-air coverage for the 2026 World Cup.
Free TV (No Cost):
- Trece — Free-to-air national broadcaster
- Unicanal — Free terrestrial TV channel
- GEN TV — Free channel with national reach
- Popu TV — Free over-the-air coverage
Paid/Cable TV:
- Select matches may appear on cable packages. Check with your local cable provider for updated listings.
Streaming:
- Online streaming options are tied to the above broadcasters’ digital platforms. Check Trece and Unicanal official websites for live stream access.
All four main broadcasters air Paraguay matches at no extra charge — making this one of the most accessible World Cups for Paraguayan fans in recent memory.
FAQs
When does Paraguay play their first game at World Cup 2026?
Paraguay’s first match is on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 10:00 PM PYT against the USA at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
What group is Paraguay in at the 2026 World Cup?
Paraguay is in Group D with the United States, Australia, and Turkey.
Where does Paraguay play their World Cup 2026 games?
Paraguay plays at SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles) and Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California).
Who is Paraguay’s coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Gustavo Alfaro, an Argentinian manager who previously led Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup, coaches La Albirroja.
Which TV channels broadcast Paraguay World Cup 2026 games?
Trece, Unicanal, GEN TV, and Popu TV all have rights to broadcast World Cup 2026 in Paraguay.
Is the World Cup free to watch in Paraguay?
Yes. All four official broadcasters air matches for free on terrestrial TV.
What is Paraguay’s best World Cup result ever?
Paraguay’s best finish is the Quarter-Finals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they lost 1–0 to Spain.
How many times has Paraguay appeared at the World Cup?
2026 will be Paraguay’s 9th World Cup appearance. They first qualified in 1930.
Who is Paraguay’s captain at World Cup 2026?
Gustavo Gómez, Palmeiras defender with over 85 senior caps, captains La Albirroja.
Can Paraguay qualify from Group D?
It’s realistic. Paraguay needs points against Turkey and Australia. The opener vs. USA will be the biggest early test.
