Paragwaj na Mundialu 2026

Paraguay return to the World Cup after missing 2018 and 2022 — their longest absence since the 1980s. La Albirroja's 2010 quarter-final (their best finish) under Gerardo Martino feels like ancient history. The current squad, rebuilt under Alfaro, qualified via CONMEBOL's expanded allocation and carries the workmanlike identity that Paraguayan football is known for: tough, physical, hard to beat.

Group D with hosts USA, Australia and Turkey is balanced. Paraguay's route to the Round of 32 likely requires finishing second or third. Beating Australia at home in the US is feasible; Turkey is a 50-50 match. The USA with home advantage will be very hard to overcome. For bracket predictions, Paraguay is a credible dark horse for third place.

Alfaro deploys a conservative 4-4-2 that is quintessentially South American: disciplined defense, midfield pressing, and direct attacking through the flanks. Miguel Almirón remains the creative spark, though at 32 his influence is more sporadic. The defense is well-organized and concedes few goals. Strengths: defensive resilience, South American tournament mentality, physical intensity. Weaknesses: creativity in the final third is limited, over-reliance on Almirón for inspiration, and the squad lacks a genuine top-tier striker.