Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Squad, Manager, Fixtures & Tournament History

Paraguay are returning to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in sixteen years — and the anthems will ring out once more. After three consecutive absences from the sport's greatest stage, La Albirroja are back, and they arrive at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States with something to prove.

Their last chapter at this level remains their finest. At South Africa 2010, Paraguay reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, beating Japan on penalties in the last 16 before coming agonisingly close to a semi-final place — only a late David Villa strike for eventual champions Spain ended their run. The mission now is to write a new chapter, and a new generation of players intends to do exactly that.

The Coach: Gustavo Alfaro

When Alfaro took the reins in August 2024, Paraguay had collected just five points from an available 18 in qualifying. The task was clear. At his unveiling, the Argentine was characteristically direct: "I'd like Paraguay to be the team that nobody wants to face, who fight harder than anyone else and whose spirit never falters."

He delivered. His debut brought a hard-fought goalless draw away to Uruguay at the Estadio Centenario, and across 12 qualifying matches he suffered just one defeat — a narrow 1-0 loss in São Paulo to Brazil. Along the way, his side beat Brazil 1-0 and Argentina 2-1, two of the most eye-catching results of the entire CONMEBOL campaign. Qualification secured, Alfaro was quick to stress that the journey was only beginning — Paraguay would not be travelling to North America to make up the numbers.

It is a conviction backed by experience. Since 1992, Alfaro has managed over a dozen clubs and has previously led Ecuador and Costa Rica at international level. In little more than a year, he transformed Paraguay's fortunes entirely.

Paraguay's 2026 World Cup Fixtures & Group

12 June: USA v Paraguay – Los Angeles Stadium

19 June: Kosovo/Romania/Slovakia/Türkiye v Paraguay – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

25 June: Paraguay v Australia – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium

How Paraguay Qualified

The expanded FIFA World Cup 2026™ format guarantees six automatic berths for CONMEBOL nations, with a seventh available through the intercontinental play-offs. Paraguay finished sixth — just enough — but the manner of their qualification told a more compelling story. Alfaro's side beat Brazil 1-0 and Argentina 2-1 during the campaign, felling two of the continent's giants when it mattered most and announcing their return to the world stage in emphatic fashion.

Paraguay's World Cup Record

Confederation: CONMEBOL

Best Finish: Quarter-finals (2010)

Last Appearance: South Africa 2010 (Quarter-finals)

First Appearance: Uruguay 1930 (Group stage)

Total Appearances: 9 (1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2026)

Overall Record: P27 W7 D10 L10 F30 A38

Paraguay's Best World Cup: South Africa 2010

South Africa 2010 stands as the defining chapter of Paraguay's World Cup story. Drawn in Group F alongside Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand, Gerardo Martino's side were composed and clinical — a 1-1 draw with Italy, a 2-0 win over Slovakia and a goalless stalemate with New Zealand was enough to win the group.

The round of 16 brought one of the tournament's most gripping penalty shootouts, as Paraguay — having failed to separate themselves from Japan across 120 goalless minutes — converted all five of their spot-kicks at Loftus Versfeld Stadium while Japan missed the decisive one.

The quarter-final against Spain was an exhibition in discipline and character. Paraguay came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Oscar Cardozo missed a penalty, and Justo Villar then denied Xabi Alonso from the spot moments later. But in the 83rd minute, Villa broke Paraguayan hearts with the only goal of the game. Their run was over — but they had reached the last eight for the first time in their history, and left the tournament with their reputation greatly enhanced.

Paraguay's Most Recent World Cup: South Africa 2010

South Africa 2010 is both Paraguay's best and most recent World Cup before 2026. The squad that pushed Spain to the brink of the semi-finals featured the likes of Villar, Cardozo, Paulo da Silva and Nelson Haedo, alongside the remarkable Denis Caniza — a veteran returning for a fourth World Cup campaign. It remains the high-water mark of Paraguayan football.

Paraguay's First World Cup: Uruguay 1930

Paraguay were among the select few nations invited to participate in the very first World Cup. They fell 3-0 to the USA in their Group 4 opener, but responded with a 1-0 win over Belgium. It was not enough to advance to the knockout phase, but their place in football history as founding participants of the world's greatest tournament is secured.

Paraguay's All-Time World Cup Top Scorer

Forward Nelson Cuevas — known as Pipino — leads Paraguay's all-time World Cup scoring chart with three goals. He announced himself on the global stage at Korea/Japan 2002 with a brace against Slovenia, then completed his tally four years later in Germany with a strike against Trinidad and Tobago. Since retiring in 2013, Cuevas has spoken openly of his hope that a future Paraguayan will one day break his record — viewing it as a marker of progress for football in his homeland.

Paraguay's Most Capped World Cup Players

Two Paraguayans share the appearance record with 12 each. Defensive stalwart Denis Caniza accumulated his tally across four tournaments: four appearances at France 1998, four more at Korea/Japan 2002, three at Germany 2006 and one final outing in South Africa.

Roque Santa Cruz matched that achievement across three tournaments. The forward made four appearances at Korea/Japan 2002, three in Germany and five at South Africa 2010 before retiring from international football in 2016.

Paraguay's Most Memorable World Cup Moments

The 2010 quarter-final run is unmatched in Paraguayan football history, but other tournaments have left their mark too. Mexico 1986 marked a significant milestone — Paraguay's return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence. Under Cayetano Re, they reached the knockout stage unbeaten, including a draw against the hosts, before England ended their journey in the round of 16.

France 1998 holds a special place as well. Inspired by Paulo Cesar Carpegiani's coaching and José Luis Chilavert's brilliance in goal, Paraguay navigated a group containing Spain, Bulgaria and Nigeria unscathed before facing the hosts and eventual champions in the round of 16. They held firm for over 90 minutes before Laurent Blanc's 114th-minute strike — the first golden goal in FIFA World Cup history — sent them home.

Paraguay's Biggest World Cup Wins

Two victories stand out among Paraguay's seven World Cup wins. At Korea/Japan 2002 against Slovenia, they found themselves a goal down and a man short by half-time following Carlos Paredes's dismissal — only to produce a remarkable second-half comeback, winning 3-1 through a Nelson Cuevas double and a Jorge Campos finish to advance to the next round.

At South Africa 2010, a 2-0 victory over Slovakia — goals from Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros — provided the platform for a run that would take them further than they had ever gone before.