Paraguay at the World Cup 2026: Outsiders Back at Last
After 16 years away, La Albirroja return under Gustavo Alfaro. Our model rates them rank outsiders for the title, but Group D is wide open.
Paraguay are back at football's biggest stage for the first time since 2010, and few teams arrive in North America with more to prove. The long wait ended thanks to coach Gustavo Alfaro, who took charge in August 2024 and transformed a stuttering side into one of CONMEBOL's most stubborn outfits. Paraguay finished sixth in South American qualifying with 28 points from 18 games, sealing automatic passage without the stress of a playoff. You can track their full profile on our Paraguay team page.
The turnaround under Alfaro was built on defensive discipline and big-game nerve. La Albirroja went unbeaten across most of his qualifying campaign, kept a stack of clean sheets and produced famous home results against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Their only stumbles came against the continent's elite, and the takeaway is clear: this is a hard team to break down, even if goals can be scarce.
The attacking hopes rest on a familiar trio. Miguel Almirón, the former Newcastle man now at Atlanta United, will feel at home in the United States and remains the creative heartbeat. Julio Enciso, who moved from Brighton to Strasbourg in 2025, adds dribbling and unpredictability, while Brighton's Diego Gómez drives the midfield. Up top, Antonio Sanabria leads the line, and captain Gustavo Gómez of Palmeiras, alongside Sunderland's Omar Alderete, anchors a back line that defines this team's identity.
The draw landed Paraguay in Group D with co-hosts the United States, Australia and Türkiye. It is one of the tournament's most open sections. Paraguay open against the USA at SoFi Stadium on June 12, face Türkiye at Levi's Stadium on June 19 and close against Australia on June 25. With eight of the third-placed teams advancing in the new 48-team format, a strong start could carry Alfaro's side into the round of 32, where their realistic ceiling probably lies.
Our model is honest about the odds: Paraguay sit as the longest shot of any qualified nation, well behind favourites Spain and Argentina. That is the reality of an outsider whose ambition is survival and a knockout cameo, not a title charge. Dig into the full numbers in our World Cup 2026 predictions, then test whether Paraguay can spring a group-stage surprise in our match simulator.
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