9
WC Appearances
including 2026
Quarterfinal
Best Result
all-time
None
Titles
yet to win
#26
FIFA Ranking
April 2026 (approx.)
About Paraguay
Paraguay bring a proud World Cup tradition to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, having reached the quarter-finals at South Africa 2010 where they were only eliminated by Spain. Newcastle United's Miguel Almirón, one of the Premier League's most popular midfielders, provides star quality, while the creative Julio Enciso adds dynamism. Under veteran CONMEBOL coach Gustavo Alfaro, Los Guaraníes are a disciplined, hard-working side that will be competitive in Group D against the United States, Australia, and Turkey. Paraguay's ability to organise defensively and strike on the counter-attack makes them dangerous opponents for any side.
Team Base Camp
🇺🇸 USA
Base camp
San Jose, California
La Albirroja train at the Spartan Soccer Complex on the San Jose State campus. Same Bay Area as Australia, putting two Group D rivals in nearly the same training cluster.
Per FIFA regulations (§18.3), Paraguay stays at this base camp for the entire group stage and travels to each match venue one day before kickoff (and returns the same night or the next day).
Distance to each group-stage match
Straight-line distance from San Jose to each match stadium. Actual travel adds airport time on flights.
Key Players
Gatito Fernández
Fabián Balbuena
Ramón Sosa
Braian Ojeda
Gustavo Caballero
Head Coach
Gustavo Alfaro
2026 Group
Group D
Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup
All times shown are local to the stadium
World Cup History
| Year | Stage Reached | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Quarterfinal | |
| 2006 | Group Stage | |
| 2002 | Round of 16 | |
| 1998 | Round of 16 | |
| 1986 | Round of 16 | |
| 1958 | Group Stage | |
| 1954 | Group Stage | |
| 1950 | Group Stage | |
| 1930 | Group Stage |
9 appearances total · Includes all World Cups as Paraguay
Paraguay World Cup 2026 FAQ
What group is Paraguay in for the 2026 World Cup?+
Paraguay is in Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside United States, Australia, Turkey.
Who is the manager of Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup?+
Gustavo Alfaro manages Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What is Paraguay's FIFA ranking?+
Paraguay is ranked #26 in the FIFA World Rankings heading into the 2026 World Cup.
How many World Cups has Paraguay played in?+
Paraguay has appeared in 9 FIFA World Cups including 2026. Their best result is Quarterfinal.
When does Paraguay play in the 2026 World Cup?+
Paraguay's 2026 World Cup group stage matches: June 12 vs United States; June 20 vs Turkey; June 25 vs Australia. Knockout matches are determined by group stage results.
Who are Paraguay's key players for the 2026 World Cup?+
Key players to watch for Paraguay include Gatito Fernández, Fabián Balbuena, Ramón Sosa, Braian Ojeda, Gustavo Caballero.
Where is Paraguay's base camp for the 2026 World Cup?+
Paraguay will be based in San Jose, California (USA), training at Spartan Soccer Complex. Per FIFA regulations, the team stays at this base camp throughout the group stage and travels to match venues one day before each game.