Paraguay

Paraguay will make their ninth FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026, returning to the tournament after a 16-year absence that followed a golden period of three consecutive qualifications (1998, 2002, 2006). La Albirroja's finest hour came at South Africa 2010, where they reached the quarterfinals for the first time, defeating Japan on penalties before falling to eventual champions Spain by a single goal. That campaign, built on the defensive organization of coach Gerardo Martino and the goalscoring of Roque Santa Cruz, remains the benchmark for Paraguayan football. The intervening years were difficult, with Paraguay missing three consecutive World Cups and struggling to regenerate their squad. The 2026 qualification represents a renaissance driven by a new generation of talent emerging from the domestic league and making moves to European clubs. Paraguay's football identity — grit, defensive solidity, and set-piece threat — remains intact, but this squad also possesses more technical quality and attacking dynamism than its predecessors. For a football-mad nation that punches well above its demographic weight in CONMEBOL, this return carries deep significance.

Miguel Almirón of Newcastle United is Paraguay's most recognizable star and creative engine. The attacking midfielder combines electric pace with a relentless work rate — his ability to carry the ball through midfield, press from the front, and contribute goals makes him the heartbeat of La Albirroja. Julio Enciso of Brighton is the young star around whom Paraguay's future is built. The forward possesses breathtaking technical ability, audacious long-range shooting, and the fearlessness of youth — his Premier League performances suggest a player ready to announce himself on the global stage. Gustavo Gómez of Palmeiras provides leadership and aerial dominance at center-back, captaining the side with authority. Ramón Sosa, now at Nottingham Forest, adds flair and directness from the wing. Mathías Villasanti brings energy and ball-winning to central midfield. Goalkeeper Antony Silva offers experience between the posts. This squad blends Premier League quality, Brazilian Serie A battle-hardened professionals, and emerging talents from across South America and Europe into a team that is greater than the sum of its well-organized parts.

Paraguay return to the World Cup after 16 years with a squad that believes it can compete — and that belief is not unfounded. The 2010 quarterfinal achievement remains the dream standard, but a more realistic target for this group is reaching the knockout stage. Paraguay's traditional strengths — defensive organization, physicality, and set-piece prowess — make them a difficult opponent for any team. Almirón and Enciso provide the game-breaking quality that Paraguay has sometimes lacked in previous campaigns. The expanded format increases their chances of progression, but much depends on the group-stage draw. Avoiding a group with multiple elite nations would give La Albirroja a fighting chance. Paraguay are unlikely to outplay elite opponents technically, but they are exceptionally difficult to beat — and in tournament football, that quality carries immense value. A Round of 32 appearance is a realistic target, with anything beyond representing a significant achievement for a program rebuilding its World Cup legacy. This Paraguay team may not be the most glamorous in the 2026 field, but write them off at your peril.