Paraguay World Cup 2026 Squad — Players, Manager & Group

Paraguay return after 16 years — carrying the hopes of a football-mad nation

Paraguay return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 — a 16-year wait that tested the patience of a football-mad nation. Their best ever tournament was that 2010 campaign when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain. This squad carries the hopes of an entire country desperate to match and surpass that achievement. The qualification campaign itself was extraordinary — they beat both Argentina and Brazil along the way, which tells you everything about what this team is capable of on their best day.

Miguel Almiron — the man everything flows through

Miguel Almiron is the most recognisable name in this squad and the player Paraguayan fans will look to for inspiration. The former Newcastle United midfielder now plying his trade at Atlanta United brings Premier League experience and the kind of technical quality that makes him a genuine match winner on his day. Everything Paraguay do in attack tends to flow through him. He is 30 now and this is almost certainly his last World Cup — that context gives him a unique motivation to perform at the highest level one final time.

Julio Enciso — the young talent who could announce himself to the world

Julio Enciso at 21 is the exciting young talent who could announce himself to the world at this tournament. The Strasbourg forward has the pace, the direct running and the finishing ability to cause real problems for any defence. He is raw but he is special and Alfaro will be hoping he can find his best form on the biggest stage of his career. Enciso has the profile of the kind of player who thrives under the lights of a World Cup rather than wilting under the pressure.

Diego Leon — Manchester United's wonderkid gets his moment

Diego Leon at 21 is Manchester United's highly rated youngster who has been talked about as one of the most promising players in South American football for two years. This World Cup is his chance to show why the biggest clubs in Europe have been monitoring him so closely. He and Enciso represent an exciting young core that could define Paraguayan football for the next decade. If both of them perform, Paraguay become a genuinely dangerous side capable of beating anyone in Group D.

Group D is tough but far from impossible

Group D is not the easiest draw but it is not impossible either. USA as co-hosts are motivated and well organised with Pochettino building something real. Turkey have Arda Guler and genuine quality throughout the squad. Australia are always competitive and never know when they are beaten. But Paraguay beat both Argentina and Brazil during qualifying and that tells you something about the character and quality in this team. On their best day they are capable of getting out of this group.

Alfaro makes brave calls — omissions tell you he means business

Gustavo Alfaro has been in charge through a challenging qualifying campaign and has built a squad with genuine character and resilience. Only three domestic players — the rest all play abroad in Brazil, Argentina and Europe. This is a professional, organised group. Alfaro has made brave selection decisions including leaving out Mathias Villasanti through injury and omitting other experienced names. The vast majority of the squad plays their football outside Paraguay, which reflects a genuine raising of standards in Paraguayan football over the last decade.

Who is in Paraguay's World Cup 2026 squad?

Paraguay's World Cup 2026 squad includes goalkeepers Roberto Fernandez, Gaspar Servio and Mauricio Magalhaes. The most notable players are Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg) and Diego Leon (Manchester United). Captain Gustavo Gomez leads the defence. Mathias Villasanti was excluded through injury.

Who is Paraguay's manager at World Cup 2026?

Gustavo Alfaro, 63, is Paraguay's manager at World Cup 2026. He guided Paraguay through qualifying including famous wins over Argentina and Brazil, and has named a professional squad with players across Europe and South America.

What group are Paraguay in at World Cup 2026?

Paraguay are in Group D at World Cup 2026 alongside USA, Australia and Turkey.

When do Paraguay play their first World Cup game?

Paraguay play their first World Cup 2026 game on June 12 against USA at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles.

When did Paraguay last play at a World Cup?

Paraguay last played at a World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. It was their best ever tournament — they reached the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to eventual champions Spain. David Villa scored the only goal.

Who is Paraguay's captain at World Cup 2026?

Gustavo Gomez of Palmeiras is Paraguay's captain at World Cup 2026. The 31-year-old centre-back is one of the most experienced players in the squad and one of the best defenders in South American football.