Squad, Alfaro & Group D
Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 guide: Alfaro’s revival, return after 16 years, key players, Group D fixtures, tactics, history and predictions.
Paraguay
La Albirroja · CONMEBOL · Group DEverything at a glance
- Nickname
- La Albirroja The White and Red
- Confederation
- CONMEBOL
- FIFA Ranking
- Around 48th Reported ahead of the tournament; confirm against the official FIFA list
- Head Coach
- Gustavo Alfaro Argentina; appointed 2024
- Captain
- Gustavo Gómez Centre-back; Palmeiras
- World Cup Appearances
- 9 Including 2026
- Best Finish
- Quarterfinals 2010; lost to eventual champions Spain
- Group
- Group D USA, Australia, Türkiye
Return after 16 years — Alfaro’s revival mission.
Paraguay return to the FIFA World Cup in 2026 after a 16-year absence — their last appearance was South Africa 2010, where they reached the quarterfinals. Under experienced Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, appointed in 2024, La Albirroja secured an automatic CONMEBOL qualifying spot, finishing in the direct-qualification places of the South American table.
Alfaro, who previously led Ecuador to the 2022 World Cup and coached Costa Rica, has restored organization and belief to a side that had missed three consecutive tournaments.
Alfaro, who previously led Ecuador to the 2022 World Cup and coached Costa Rica, has restored organization and belief to a side that had missed three consecutive tournaments.
Paraguay are a fascinating story of revival.
Paraguay’s story is one of revival. Long known for grit, defensive solidity and tournament toughness, they had fallen out of the World Cup picture for over a decade. Alfaro has rebuilt them around a steely defense led by captain Gustavo Gómez and an emerging creative core. The contrast between the traditional Paraguayan resilience and a younger, more technical attacking generation makes them a fascinating watch.
Underdogs — but far from outsiders.
Drawn into Group D with co-hosts USA, Australia and Türkiye, Paraguay are arguably underdogs but far from outsiders. Reaching the knockout rounds in the expanded 48-team format is a realistic ambition; even a third-place finish can be enough to advance as one of the best third-placed sides.
Their realistic route
Their floor is a competitive group campaign; their ceiling is a return to the knockout stages.
Alfaro’s squad
Likely roles based on recent call-ups. Confirm against the final 26. Likely starters marked with *.
Goalkeepers
1- Roberto Fernández
Defenders
4- Gustavo Gómez Palmeiras · (captain)
- Omar Alderete
- Júnior Alonso
- Juan José Cáceres
Midfielders
4- Diego Gómez Brighton & Hove Albion
- Miguel Almirón Atlanta United
- Mathías Villasanti
- Andrés Cubas
Forwards
4- Antonio Sanabria Cremonese
- Julio Enciso Strasbourg
- Adam Bareiro
- Alejandro Romero "Kaku"
★ Likely starters. Goalkeeper No. 1 to confirm (Roberto Fernández projected; veteran options also in contention). Club details for several players not available in source. Full 26-man squad to confirm against official sheet.
The names that decide it
Commanding, aerially dominant leader. Importance: the defensive and emotional anchor with well over 85 caps. Fact: a former AC Milan defender who now captains Palmeiras and Paraguay.
Energetic, direct runner. Importance: the most recognizable name, bringing Premier League pedigree from his Newcastle United years. Fact: returned to MLS after his Newcastle spell.
Box-to-box engine breaking into Premier League regularity. Importance: a rising star who connects defense and attack. Fact: earned a move to Brighton and has become a player to watch.
Skilful, jinking dribbler. Importance: the team’s spark and X-factor in the final third. Fact: joined Strasbourg from Brighton in 2025 and has Premier League experience.
Hold-up forward and finisher. Importance: likely to lead the line with international goals to his name. Fact: moved to newly promoted Cremonese from Torino in 2025.
Breakout Player
Diego Gómez — A Premier League midfielder still in his early twenties, a strong World Cup could elevate him into the tournament’s notable young performers and make him Paraguay’s breakout name on the global stage.
Most Underrated Player
Omar Alderete — The left-sided center back rarely grabs headlines but is central to Alfaro’s defensive structure. His positioning and physicality make Paraguay hard to break down (confirm current club against the final squad).
Defensive, compact, and dangerous on transitions and set pieces.
Alfaro’s Paraguay are pragmatic, compact and dangerous on transitions and set pieces. Expect a disciplined back line — often a back four that can shift to five — with the captain Gustavo Gómez marshaling it, and quick breaks fueled by Almirón, Enciso and Diego Gómez. They prioritize defensive organization first and look to strike on the counter.
By the numbers
Attack: Reliant on a small creative core to unlock games.
Midfield: Diego Gómez and Almirón provide quality; depth is thinner.
Defense: The team’s clear strength, led by an experienced captain.
Goalkeeping: Solid if not spectacular.
Depth: A capable first XI with limited margin for injuries.
Experience: Veteran spine plus emerging Europe-based talent.
Nine appearances, a quarterfinal peak — and back after 16 years away.
Paraguay first appeared at the World Cup in 1930 and have qualified nine times. Their golden era came in the 1990s and 2000s, reaching the round of 16 in 1986, 1998 and 2002. Their best-ever finish came at South Africa 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals, falling narrowly to eventual champions Spain. After 2010 they missed 2014, 2018 and 2022 before returning in 2026.
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1930
World Cup debut
Paraguay make their first World Cup appearance.
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1986, 1998, 2002
Round of 16 — three times
Paraguay’s golden era: reached the round of 16 on three separate occasions.
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2010
Best finish — quarterfinals
Reached the quarterfinals at South Africa 2010, falling narrowly to eventual champions Spain.
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2014–2022
Three consecutive absences
Paraguay missed the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
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2026
Return after 16 years
La Albirroja return under Gustavo Alfaro after a 16-year absence, targeting the knockout rounds.
16-year drought, a quarterfinal pedigree, and Chilavert’s legendary free kicks
2026 ends a 16-year World Cup drought
2026 ends a 16-year World Cup drought for Paraguay.
2010 quarterfinals ended with a single-goal loss to champions Spain
Their best finish, the 2010 quarterfinals, ended with a single-goal loss to champions Spain.
Gustavo Gómez once played for AC Milan
Captain Gustavo Gómez once played for AC Milan.
Chilavert — Paraguay’s most famous World Cup figure
Legendary goalkeeper and free-kick scorer José Luis Chilavert is Paraguay’s most famous World Cup figure.
Alfaro has taken three different nations to the World Cup
Coach Gustavo Alfaro has now taken three different nations toward or to the World Cup.
Almirón became a cult hero at Newcastle United
Miguel Almirón became a cult hero during his Newcastle United years.
Renowned for defensive resilience in CONMEBOL qualifying
Paraguay are renowned for their defensive resilience in CONMEBOL qualifying.
A proper underdog with a quarterfinal pedigree, back after a long absence.
- A proper underdog with a quarterfinal pedigree, back after a long absence.
- Classic South American grit and counterattacking flair.
- Emerging talents like Diego Gómez and Julio Enciso ready to announce themselves.
- The kind of stubborn, organized side capable of upsetting bigger names.
Hard to beat — a genuine fight for second or third place, with a real chance via the best third-placed route.
Paraguay will be tough to break down and should make Group D competitive. Advancing is achievable but not guaranteed in a group with the co-hosts; a realistic outcome is a fight for second or third place, with a genuine chance of sneaking into the knockout rounds via the best third-placed route. Expect low-scoring, hard-fought matches.