Paraguay have named their 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, with the South American nation ahead of their first appearance since 2010.
Gustavo Alfaro is the man that will lead the nation into their ninth World Cup, with the Argentinian hoping that his side will be able to emulate their quarter-final appearance in 2010.
There aren’t many household names within the Paraguay squad but the eye is instantly drawn to Omar Alderete of Sunderland, Diego Gómez of Brighton and Portsmouth’s Gustavo Caballero.
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Paraguay World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic Club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gatito Fernández | GK | Cerro Porteño (Paraguay) | 30 | 0 |
| 12 | Orlando Gill | GK | San Lorenzo (Argentina) | 5 | 0 |
| 22 | Gastón Olveira | GK | Olimpia (Paraguay) | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | Gustavo Gómez | DF | Palmeiras (Brazil) | 88 | 4 |
| 6 | Júnior Alonso | DF | Atlético Mineiro (Brazil) | 70 | 3 |
| 5 | Fabián Balbuena | DF | Grêmio (Brazil) | 47 | 2 |
| 3 | Omar Alderete | DF | Sunderland (England) | 35 | 3 |
| 4 | Juan José Cáceres | DF | Dynamo Moscow (Russia) | 16 | 0 |
| 2 | Gustavo Velázquez | DF | Cerro Porteño (Paraguay) | 12 | 1 |
| 13 | José Canale | DF | Lanus (Argentina) | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | Alexandro Maidana | DF | Talleres (Argentina) | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | Miguel Almirón | MF | Atlanta United (United States) | 75 | 9 |
| 17 | Kaku | MF | Al-Ain (UAE) | 32 | 5 |
| 14 | Andrés Cubas | MF | Vancouver Whitecaps (United States) | 32 | 0 |
| 7 | Ramón Sosa | MF | Palmeiras (Brazil) | 28 | 1 |
| 8 | Diego Gómez | MF | Brighton (England) | 23 | 3 |
| 16 | Damián Bobadilla | MF | Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 19 | 1 |
| 20 | Braian Ojeda | MF | Orlando City (United States) | 16 | 0 |
| 23 | Matías Galarza | MF | Atlanta United (United States) | 14 | 2 |
| 11 | Maurício | MF | Palmeiras (Brazil) | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | Antonio Sanabria | FW | Cremonese (Italy) | 47 | 7 |
| 19 | Julio Enciso | FW | Strasbourg (France) | 31 | 4 |
| 21 | Gabriel Ávalos | FW | Independiente (Argentina) | 22 | 2 |
| 18 | Álex Arce | FW | Independiente Rivadavia (Argentina) | 14 | 1 |
| 25 | Isidro Pitta | FW | Red Bull Bragantino (Brazil) | 5 | 0 |
| 24 | Gustavo Caballero | FW | Portsmouth (England) | 2 | 1 |
Paraguay’s 2026 World Cup squad, under the guidance of coach Gustavo Alfaro, presents a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, poised to make a significant impact on the tournament. The squad features a robust defensive core, highlighted by captain Gustavo Gómez of Palmeiras, with 88 caps, and Júnior Alonso from Atlético Mineiro, boasting 70 caps. Their extensive international experience and club success in strong South American leagues provide a solid foundation at the back. Omar Alderete, currently with Sunderland, adds European exposure to the defensive line.
In midfield, Miguel Almirón, with 75 caps and 9 goals, remains a pivotal figure. His pace, creativity, and goal-scoring threat, honed at Atlanta United FC, will be crucial for Paraguay’s attacking transitions. Diego Gomez and Andrés Cubas offer tenacity and control in the central areas. The attacking third sees a blend of experience and youthful exuberance and suggests a team capable of both defensive resilience and opportunistic attacking play. While not considered among the tournament favourites, Paraguay’s pragmatic approach and the individual brilliance of players like Almirón and Enciso could see them emerge as a challenging opponent, potentially disrupting stronger teams and advancing beyond the group stages.
- Read more: Paraguay World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United)
Miguel Almirón enters the 2026 World Cup as the undisputed creative heartbeat of the Paraguayan national team. With 75 caps and 9 international goals, the 32-year-old midfielder provides a vital bridge between a disciplined defensive unit and a youthful attacking line. Currently playing for Atlanta United FC, Almirón’s trademark explosive pace and ball-carrying ability remain his greatest assets, allowing Paraguay to transition rapidly from deep-seated defending to clinical counter-attacks.
His impact extends beyond individual brilliance; Almirón serves as a mentor to emerging stars like Julio Enciso. In Gustavo Alfaro’s tactically rigid system, Almirón is granted the freedom to roam, often drifting into half-spaces to unbalance opposition defences. For Paraguay to progress, they require his high-intensity pressing and vision to unlock tight games. If Almirón maintains his fitness and creative output, he could be the catalyst that transforms Paraguay from stubborn underdogs into genuine tournament dark horses this summer.
Julio Enciso (Strasbourg)
Julio Enciso represents the “X-factor” in Paraguay’s 2026 World Cup campaign. At just 22 years old, the Strasbourg forward has already amassed 31 caps, signalling his rapid ascent as the nation’s premier young talent. Enciso provides a level of technical flair and unpredictability that complements the more established Miguel Almirón. His ability to strike from distance and navigate tight spaces makes him a constant threat to opposition backlines that might focus too heavily on containing Paraguay’s more veteran players.
In a squad often characterized by its defensive grit, Enciso offers the necessary spark to turn draws into victories. Under Gustavo Alfaro, he is expected to occupy advanced roles where his agility can exploit tired defences late in matches. This summer’s tournament serves as a potential global breakout stage for Enciso; his performance will likely dictate whether Paraguay can move beyond a pragmatic style and find the goals needed to advance deep into the knockout rounds.
Damián Bobadilla (Sao Paulo)
Damián Bobadilla is set to be the engine room of Paraguay’s midfield during the 2026 World Cup. The 24-year-old São Paulo midfielder has quickly become a mainstay in the national setup, earning 19 caps and proving himself as a versatile “box-to-box” presence. Bobadilla’s primary impact lies in his tactical intelligence; he excels at breaking up opposition play while possessing the composure to initiate forward movements. His energy is essential for Gustavo Alfaro’s high-pressing demands, ensuring the team remains compact between the defensive line and the attack.
In this summer’s tournament, Bobadilla’s ability to provide defensive cover will allow creative players like Almirón and Enciso more freedom to roam. Furthermore, his knack for arriving late in the penalty area adds a secondary goal-scoring threat from midfield. If Bobadilla can dominate the central duels against elite opposition, he will provide the stability Paraguay needs to frustrate opponents and control the tempo of critical group-stage matches.
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Paraguay World Cup 2026 fixtures
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