Paraguay
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro
Starting XI Prediction
Star Players
All Players →
Fixtures
Group D
Group D
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  United States | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 |  Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Paraguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Türkiye | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Full Squad Players List
| # | Player | Pos | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | |||
| 1 | Carlos CoronelXI Red Bull New York | GK | |
| 12 | Antony Silva Guaraní | GK | |
| 25 | Roberto Fernández Guaraní | GK | |
| Defenders | |||
| 2 | Alberto EspínolaXI Olimpia | RB | |
| 3 | Santiago ArzamendiaXI Cádiz | LB | |
| 4 | Gastón GiménezXI Pumas UNAM | CB | |
| 5 | Gustavo GómezXI Palmeiras | CB | |
| 13 | Junior Alonso Atlético Mineiro | CB | |
| 14 | Omar Alderete Hertha Berlin | CB | |
| 15 | Iván Piris Olimpia | LB | |
| 21 | Robert Morales LDU Quito | RB | |
| 24 | Alexis Duarte Olimpia | CB | |
| Midfielders | |||
| 6 | Mathías VillasantiXI Palmeiras | CDM | |
| 8 | Richard SánchezXI Club América | CM | |
| 10 | Miguel AlmirónXI Newcastle | CAM | |
| 16 | Fernando Cardozo Nacional | CDM | |
| 19 | Óscar Romero São Paulo | CAM | |
| 23 | Diego Gómez Brighton | CM | |
| Forwards | |||
| 7 | Ángel RomeroXI Corinthians | RW | |
| 9 | Antonio SanabriaXI Torino | ST | |
| 11 | Julio EncisoXI Brighton | LW | |
| 17 | Braian Samudio Club Olimpia | RW | |
| 18 | Carlos González Pumas UNAM | ST | |
| 20 | Derlis González Club Olimpia | LW | |
| 22 | Jorge Morel Club Olimpia | LW | |
| 26 | Ramón Sosa Nottm Forest | RW | |
World Cup History
—
Titles
9
Appearances
22
WC Goals
8
Wins
Best finish: Quarter-finals (2010)
Top scorer: José Cardozo (3 goals)
Most capped: Carlos Gamarra (16 matches)
Record: 8W – 9D – 12L
Paraguay are one of South America's most consistent World Cup qualifiers despite limited resources. The Albirroja reached the quarter-finals in 2010, their best finish, and are known for disciplined, organized football that regularly frustrates better-resourced opponents. Seven of their nine WC matches ended in draws — a testament to their defensive resilience.
Tournament Eras
The Early Appearances — 1930s Pioneers
1930–1958Paraguay participated in the 1930 inaugural World Cup and the 1950 and 1958 editions. Small and under-resourced, they were outclassed but showed the footballing identity — defensive organization, tactical discipline — that would characterize the nation across decades.
The Consistent Qualifiers — 1998 to 2010
1986–2010Paraguay qualified for five successive World Cups from 1986 to 2010, advancing from the group stage in 1986, 1998, 2002, and 2010. Their 2010 campaign — featuring goalkeeper Justo Villar and striker Roque Santa Cruz — was their finest: they beat Japan and Slovakia to reach the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to Spain.
Iconic Moments
2010 Quarter-Final — Spain Edge Past
Paraguay gave Spain an almighty scare in the quarter-finals — missing a penalty through Oscar Cardozo and seeing a David Villa goal disallowed, before Villa scored the only goal in a 1-0 defeat. Spain went on to win the World Cup. It was Paraguay's finest hour.