Paraguay
World Cup 2026 Group D — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
The Chilavert blueprint lives on
Paraguay’s identity remains rooted in defensive solidity, a legacy of José Luis Chilavert’s era. In 2026, captain Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras) anchors a backline that conceded just 1.1 goals per game in CONMEBOL qualifying. The formula? Compact blocks and set-piece threats—Miguel Almirón’s delivery to Julio Enciso (Brighton) could decide tight games. Their 2010 run to the quarters under Gerardo Martino proved this approach works, but scoring remains a hurdle: they’ve netted more than once in only 3 of their last 15 World Cup matches.
Group stage déjà vu with higher stakes
Drawn into a likely group with European and African opponents—similar to 2010 (Italy, Slovakia, New Zealand)—Paraguay’s survival hinges on frustrating favorites. Their 0-0 draw against France in 1998 and 1-1 vs England in 1986 show they can stifle giants. But with 2026’s third-place teams advancing, manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto must balance pragmatism with attacking risk. A repeat of 2002’s group-stage exit (1 draw, 2 losses) would sting worse now.
The Almiron-Enciso axis
Newcastle’s Almirón and Brighton’s Enciso form Paraguay’s creative core, a rare duo with Premier League experience. Enciso’s explosiveness (4 goals in 2023/24 before injury) offers verticality they’ve lacked since prime Roque Santa Cruz. Schelotto’s 4-2-3-1 relies on their link-up play, but both tend to drift wide—leaving striker Antonio Sanabria (Torino) isolated. Paraguay’s midfield workhorses (Andrés Cubas, Vancouver) must win second balls to feed them.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group D hub →
Group standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Australia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Paraguay | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Turkey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  United States | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States vs ParaguayEstadio Los Angeles | Fri, Jun 12, 2026 · 02:00 ET | d | – | Scheduled |
| Turkey vs ParaguayEstadio San Francisco Bay Area | Sat, Jun 20, 2026 · 04:00 ET | d | – | Scheduled |
| Paraguay vs AustraliaEstadio San Francisco Bay Area | Fri, Jun 26, 2026 · 03:00 ET | d | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
Has Paraguay ever won a World Cup knockout game?+
Yes—they beat Japan on penalties in the 2010 Round of 16 (0-0 AET), their only knockout win in eight World Cup appearances.
Which cities will Paraguay likely play in during 2026?+
Expect matches in hotter climates like Monterrey or Houston—their federation prefers venues mimicking Asunción’s conditions.
Who is Paraguay’s all-time top World Cup scorer?+
Nelson Cuevas with 3 goals (2002). Current striker Antonio Sanabria has 0 in 6 qualifying games for 2026.
Why did Paraguay miss the 2022 World Cup?+
Finished 8th in CONMEBOL qualifying (13 points), failing to capitalize on late chances against Colombia and Venezuela.