Paraguay
Hammered in game one, now in trouble
Walked into a buzzsaw — torn apart 4-1 by the hosts. Now it's a salvage job.
Watchability2/5
Drama3/5
Star power2/5
Title shot1/5
Team rating
74TEAM
- Attack71
- Midfield73
- Defense77
Next matches
- Next upvs AustraliaLevi's Stadium, Santa ClaraJun 25
The read
Paraguay are a proud, defensively stubborn South American nation back at the World Cup for the first time in 16 years — but they walked straight into a buzzsaw, hammered 4-1 by the host USA in their opener, the worst possible start. Now it is a salvage job: a team built to grind, not to dazzle, that probably has to win out to survive, starting with a must-win clash against a wounded Turkey.
The fan’s readA proud, gritty defensive nation with its back fully against the wall — desperation makes for compelling television, and a salvage job can turn ferocious.
The cast
- Gustavo AlfaroArgentine; a serial national-team over-achiever (he took Ecuador to the 2022 World Cup) who revived Paraguay’s stalled qualifying campaign.manager
- Julio Enciso ★Paraguay were torn apart 4-1 by the hosts in the opener — now their 22-year-old creative spark is the long shot of magic that keeps a salvage job alive.ClubBrighton & Hove Albion
- Miguel AlmironFamiliar to U.S. crowds from his Atlanta and Newcastle days — the most recognizable name in the side.ClubAtlanta United
- Antonio SanabriaTop-scored in qualifying with 4 goals — the experienced No. 9 for a team that now has to chase.ClubTorino
- Gustavo GomezThe captain and defensive leader from one of South America's biggest clubs — but the USA tore his defense apart.ClubPalmeiras
Key moments
- 20102010 quarterfinalParaguay’s best-ever World Cup: they reached the 2010 quarterfinals, beating Japan on penalties before losing 0-1 to eventual champions Spain.
- 201016 years awayParaguay last played at a World Cup in 2010; 2026 ends a 16-year absence and is their ninth appearance overall.
- 2002Repeat round-of-16 sideAcross the 1986, 1998 and 2002 World Cups, Paraguay reliably reached the second round before bowing out — a hallmark of their stubborn, defensive style.