Following the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 26™ CONMEBOL Qualifiers this September, Paraguay secured their place at the FIFA World Cup 26™ – their ninth appearance, and their first since the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The qualifying competition, contested by all ten member nations of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) in a home-and-away double round-robin format, saw Paraguay hold Ecuador to a goalless draw at home on Matchday 17 (4 September). This result guaranteed a top-six finish, thereby sealing qualification (they ultimately finished sixth). With the Paraguayan government having declared the day following qualification a public holiday, the nation was able to celebrate the achievement with unrestrained joy.

However, the road to qualification was far from smooth. As of November 2023, after six of the 18 qualifying matches had been played, Paraguay sat in seventh place with one win, two draws, and three defeats—having scored just a single goal. Their struggles extended to the CONMEBOL Copa America, held prior to Matchday 7, where they were eliminated at the group stage following three consecutive losses. Alarmed by this poor performance, the Paraguayan Football Association opted for a managerial change, appointing Argentine coach Gustavo ALFARO, who had previously led Costa Rica to victory over Paraguay during the Copa America.

Under Alfaro, known for his emphasis on structure and discipline, Paraguay's fortunes improved dramatically. They recorded six wins, five draws, and just one defeat in their remaining 12 matches. Notably, they secured home victories over Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Paraguay’s FIFA World Ranking, which had slumped to 62nd as of 18 July last year, rose sharply to 37th in the 18 September update this year. Following the decisive match against Ecuador, Alfaro stated, “We’re not going [to the World Cup] just to take part. We want to compete to the best of our ability,” expressing his strong resolve.

Paraguay have traditionally been known for their solid defence, supported by the ability of talented attacking players to capitalise on scoring opportunities. They netted just 14 goals in the South American qualifiers—fewer than Bolivia (17 goals), who finished seventh and will compete in the intercontinental play-offs, and Venezuela (18 goals), who finished eighth and failed to qualify. However, with only 10 goals conceded, Paraguay were tied with Argentina for the second-best defensive record. They kept clean sheets in 10 matches, earning valuable points thanks to goals from the likes of Miguel ALMIRON (Atlanta United/USA), Julio ENCISO (RC Strasbourg Alsace/France), and Antonio SANABRIA (US Cremonese/Italy).

A memorable clash with Japan came in the Round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, when both teams were aiming to reach the quarterfinals for the first time. After a goalless 120 minutes, Paraguay triumphed 5–3 in a penalty shootout. Reflecting on the challenge of the upcoming encounter, SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) manager MORIYASU Hajime remarked, “To become the best in the world at a World Cup, we must overcome the battle-hardened South American teams who excel at managing tight contests.” The match against Paraguay is set to provide an ideal test ahead of Japan’s quest to reach “the highest stage.”

Paraguay National Team

Coach

Gustavo ALFARO (Argentina)

Squad

GK
 1   Roberto FERNANDEZ (Club Cerro Porteño)
12  Juan ESPINOLA (Club Atlético Newell's Old Boys/Argentina)
22  Orlando GILL (Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro/Argentina)

DF
 2   Victor VELAZQUEZ (Club Cerro Porteño)
 6   Junior ALONSO (Clube Atlético Mineiro/Brazil)
15  Gustavo GOMEZ (SE Palmeiras/Brazil)
13  Alan BENITEZ (SC Internacional/Brazil)
 3   Omar ALDERETE (Sunderland AFC/England)
 5   Alexis DUARTE (FC Spartak Moscow/Russia)
 4   Juan CACERES (FC Dynamo Moscow/Russia)
24  Diego LEON (Manchester United FC/England)

MF
11  Angel ROMERO (Sport Club Corinthians Paulista/Brazil)
10  Miguel ALMIRON (Atlanta United/USA)
17  Alejandro Romero GAMARRA（AL AIN/UAE）
14  Andres CUBAS (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/Canada）
20  Braian OJEDA (REAL SALT LAKE/USA)
16  Damian BOBADILLA (São Paulo FC/Brazil)
23  Matias GALARZA (Club Atlético River Plate/Argentina)
 7   Diego GONZALEZ (Atlas F.C./Mexico)
 8   Diego GOMEZ (Brighton and Hove Albion FC/England)
19  Hugo CUENCA (Genoa CFC/Italy）

FW
18  Alex ARCE (Club Sportivo Independiente Rivadavia/Argentina)
 9   Antonio SANABRIA (US Cremonese/Italy)
21  Ronaldo MARTINEZ (Club Atlético PLATENSE/Argentina)
25  Lucas ROMERO (TRINIDENSE)

Results of last 5 matches
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

Record against Japan

2 wins 4 draws 5 losses (10 goals, 15 against)

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: 8

1930　Group stage
1934　Did not participate
1938　Did not participate
1950　Group stage (1st Round)
1954　Eliminated in the qualifier
1958　Group stage
1962　Eliminated in the qualifier
1966　Eliminated in the qualifier
1970　Eliminated in the qualifier
1974　Eliminated in the qualifier
1978　Eliminated in the qualifier
1982　Eliminated in the qualifier
1986　Round of 16
1990　Eliminated in the qualifier
1994　Eliminated in the qualifier
1998　Round of 16
2002　Round of 16
2006　Group stage
2010　Quarterfinals
2014　Eliminated in the qualifier
2018　Eliminated in the qualifier
2022　Eliminated in the qualifier

Data on the opposing country

◇FIFA Rankings (as of 3 April 2025): 48th
◇Record against Japan: 2 wins 4 draws 5 losses (10 goals, 15 against)

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