Paraguay go to the FIFA World Cup 2026 under Gustavo Alfaro, drawn into Group I alongside Germany, Cameroon, Jordan. 2010 quarter-finalists. First World Cup since 2010. The 2026 squad is built around Miguel Almiron and Antonio Sanabria, with manager Gustavo Alfaro entering the tournament with a Round of 16 or quarter-final ceiling depending on group execution.
Key Takeaways
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Paraguay’s manager and tactical identity
Gustavo Alfaro leads Paraguay into the 2026 World Cup. A pragmatic manager with the squad and tactical flexibility to spring upsets. Tactically, Paraguay are expected to sit deeper, hit on the break, and rely on individual quality from Miguel Almiron to unlock games.
Paraguay’s squad: key players to watch
Paraguay’s strongest 2026 assets centre on Miguel Almiron – the talisman whose form most often dictates results. Antonio Sanabria provides a critical secondary threat, with Julio Enciso rounding out the spine of the team.
- Miguel Almiron – Paraguay starter, core starter.
- Antonio Sanabria – Paraguay starter, core starter.
- Julio Enciso – Paraguay starter, core starter.
For player-by-player analysis, see our players hub.
Paraguay’s World Cup history
2010 quarter-finalists. First World Cup since 2010. The 2026 World Cup is a measuring stick for a programme in development.
For deeper historical context, see our World Cup history hub.
Group I preview: Paraguay’s path
Paraguay faces three group-stage matches against Germany, Cameroon, Jordan between June 16 and June 27, 2026. A top-two finish requires Paraguay to take points off at least one of the higher-seeded opponents in the group.
The key match: Paraguay vs Germany on Matchday 1, June 16, 2026 — a result here would set the trajectory for the entire group. Full fixture details are on our schedule page, and the full group analysis sits on the Group I preview page.
How far can Paraguay go at the World Cup 2026?
Futbolzen rates Paraguay as an underdog whose realistic ceiling is the Round of 16. Round of 16 via the best-third-place rule is the realistic upside. For our full tournament prediction model and group-by-group probabilities, see the predictions hub.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Paraguay’s manager at the World Cup 2026?
Gustavo Alfaro manages Paraguay for the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Which group is Paraguay in at the World Cup 2026?
Paraguay is in Group I alongside Germany, Cameroon, Jordan. Full group analysis on our Group I preview.
Who are Paraguay’s key players?
Paraguay’s standout players for 2026 are Miguel Almiron, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso. Miguel Almiron is the team’s primary attacking threat and the focal point of the tactical setup.
How many World Cups have Paraguay won?
2010 quarter-finalists. First World Cup since 2010.
Can Paraguay win the World Cup 2026?
A title is highly unlikely. Paraguay is targeting a Round of 16 berth as a realistic upside.
What’s next?
Last updated: May 23, 2026 by the Futbolzen editorial team. Squad selections firm up after the May 26, 2026 provisional list deadline. Tell us if you spot something out of date via our Corrections Policy.