Paraguay at the World Cup 2026
Paraguay arrive at the 2026 World Cup as one of the CONMEBOL representatives in Group D. Coach G. Alfaro has settled the team into a clear shape for the tournament. This page is the full guide for South African bettors and fans following Paraguay across the group stage and beyond.
Paraguay at the World Cup 2026
Group D · FIFA World Cup 2026
| Date | Match | Venue | Round | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 13/06, 03:00 SAST |  United Statesv Paraguay |
SoFi Stadium | ||
| Sat 20/06, 05:00 SAST |  TürkiyevParaguay |
Levi's Stadium | ||
| Fri 26/06, 04:00 SAST | Paraguayv Australia |
Levi's Stadium | ||
| Mon 29/06, 22:30 SAST |  GermanyvParaguay |
Gillette Stadium | ||
| Sat 04/07, 23:00 SAST | Paraguayv France |
Lincoln Financial Field |
The story
The goalkeeper who scored, and the art of the grind
Paraguay built their reputation on stubbornness. They are the kind of team that frustrates the favourites, soaks up pressure, and pinches a goal at the other end.
Their most famous figure was a goalkeeper. Jose Luis Chilavert did not just keep the ball out, he scored from free-kicks and penalties, a one-man highlight reel between the posts in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The high point came in 2010, when Paraguay reached the quarter-finals for the first time. They held Spain, the eventual champions, before losing by a single goal. It was their best run, built on defence, organisation and guts.
Paraguay rarely blow teams away. They wear them down instead, and they have the patience to wait for one chance to matter.
Paraguayan fans love the fight more than the frills. A clean sheet and a 1-0 win is their kind of night.
Few teams produce more cagey, low-scoring matches. Unders, narrow scorelines and the occasional shock draw against a big side are the Paraguay specials.
How Paraguay qualified
Paraguay qualified third from CONMEBOL, ending a 16-year absence from the World Cup.
The qualification campaign tested both depth and discipline. G. Alfaro used the long run of group games to bed in a settled XI and to rotate younger players through the squad. The core that will travel to North America in 2026 has played together for a full cycle.
Form heading into the World Cup matters. Paraguay have used the friendlies in March and June 2026 to fine-tune the back four and to test set-piece routines. The kick-off in Group D is the moment the work in the build-up pays out or does not.
Group D breakdown
Group D delivers a mix of styles, regions, and pedigrees. The top two go through automatically. The third-placed team has a real shot under the new 48-team format, where the eight best third-placed sides across the 12 groups advance to a new Round of 32.
The three Paraguay group matches:
| Date (SAST) | Match | Venue | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 13/06, 03:00 SAST | USAvParaguay | SoFi Stadium | Group Stage – 1 |
| Sat 20/06, 05:00 SAST | TürkiyevParaguay | None | Group Stage – 2 |
| Fri 26/06, 04:00 SAST | ParaguayvAustralia | None | Group Stage – 3 |
Group D rivals to scout: USA · Australia · Türkiye.
The opening matchday sets the tone. A win on day one shapes the group, a loss raises the pressure on the second game, and a draw keeps every door open. The seven-day rhythm between matches favours the deeper squads.
The squad: who to watch
G. Alfaro named a settled squad with strong continuity from the qualifying campaign. The starting XI is largely locked in, with three or four positions still open for late competition.
M. Almirón (#10, age 31) is a frontline option for the Paraguay attack and a regular starter under G. Alfaro.
A. Arce (#18, age 30) is a frontline option for the Paraguay attack and a regular starter under G. Alfaro.
G. Ávalos (#19, age 35) is a frontline option for the Paraguay attack and a regular starter under G. Alfaro.
The bench depth is where many groups are decided. A 60th-minute change can be the difference between three points and one. Paraguay need fresh legs in midfield more than anywhere else, with the heat in Mexico and the south-western United States a factor in every late-stage substitution.
How Paraguay play under G. Alfaro
Gustavo Alfaro plays a 5-3-2 with Mexican-based striker Antonio Sanabria and the experienced Miguel Almiron behind him.
Pressing triggers, set-piece variety, and transition speed are the three areas a tournament team has to get right. Paraguay have drilled all three across the qualifying campaign and the recent friendlies. The squad knows the patterns. The question is execution against opponents at the highest level.
Strengths: organisation in the defensive third, a clear chain of command in midfield, and named leaders on set pieces. Weaknesses: chance creation in open play when the press is beaten, and fitness through 90 minutes of a tournament knockout. Both are normal tournament issues and not unique to Paraguay.
Betting on Paraguay from South Africa
Paraguay v Australia is the swing game. Paraguay are around 2.30 to win, the standout match-up bet of the group.
- Paraguay to qualify from Group D. The headline pre-tournament market. Worth checking on at least two SA books before placing, since the price band is wide.
- Paraguay v their second match opponent, draw or win double. The mid-tournament market that often delivers value once the opening matchday clarifies the group.
- Anytime tournament scorer specials. Each of the named attackers above is in the market across SA books, with the keenest pricing usually on Gbets and YesPlay.
- Goalscorer or to receive a card specials. The match-ups within Group D create unusual props that the bigger global books often miss. Watch the specials boards on Pokerbet on matchday.
For South African pricing on Paraguay, our covered partners are YesPlay, Pokerbet, Betshezi, Gbets, and Cloudbet. All five hold valid South African licences. Compare prices across two or three before placing, and never stake more than your set deposit limit.
How to watch Paraguay in South Africa
SuperSport on DStv carries every 2026 World Cup match in South Africa. SABC will broadcast a select run of matches on free-to-air, with the Bafana games confirmed and a handful of additional fixtures expected closer to kick-off.
Kick-off times in SAST vary across the Paraguay group games. Check the fixtures table above for the exact SAST kick-off and the venue. The Mexico-based matches kick off at one of three local time slots that map to either prime-time or middle-of-the-night SAST viewing.
Streaming via DStv Stream and DStv Now is included with a current subscription, with mobile viewing supported. No extra fee is required for current DStv Premium and Compact Plus subscribers.
FAQ: Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup
When does Paraguay play their first match?
Paraguay’s opening Group D match is on Sat 13/06, 03:00 SAST against USA. The match is at SoFi Stadium.
Who is Paraguay’s manager for the 2026 World Cup?
G. Alfaro is in charge of Paraguay for the 2026 World Cup. The full squad is built around gustavo alfaro a setup of a 5-3-2 with mexican-based striker antonio sanabria and the experienced miguel almiron behind him.
How did Paraguay qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Paraguay qualified third from CONMEBOL, ending a 16-year absence from the World Cup.
Where can South Africans bet on Paraguay?
Any sportsbook licensed by a South African provincial gambling board. YesPlay, Gbets, Pokerbet, Betshezi, and Cloudbet all carry full Paraguay markets for the 2026 World Cup.
What is Paraguay’s best ever World Cup result?
Paraguay last played at the World Cup in South Africa 2010, where they reached the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to eventual champions Spain.
More on the World Cup
Group D rivals: USA · Australia · Türkiye
Other: Back to the World Cup 2026 hub · All football fixtures · SA sportsbook reviews
