WC26 Analysis

🇵🇾 Paraguay

World Cup 2026 | Group D | Power rating 1724 (was 1720) | World rank #35

About Paraguay

Paraguay are a famously stubborn, defensively resolute South American outfit. A CONMEBOL side, they enter the 2026 World Cup rated 1724 -35th of the 48 teams -in Group D.

Their high point was the 2010 World Cup quarter-final, and they are traditionally hard to beat. Compact, combative and organised, thriving on set pieces and counterattacks.

Drawn alongside United States, Türkiye and Australia, their toughest group test on paper is the meeting with United States. The model lists them 3rd in the group and to reach the Round of 32.

Detailed team profile

Overview

Paraguay return as a disciplined, combative CONMEBOL side.

World Cup history

Paraguay are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals. They have a history of awkward, low-margin tournament football.

Recent form

Paraguay qualified sixth in CONMEBOL, enough for a direct berth in the expanded format, with high-profile qualifying wins over Brazil and Argentina.

2026 World Cup angle

They open Group D against co-host United States and can make the group uncomfortable with compact defending and direct attacking moments. Their main task is turning defensive structure into enough goals.

Group-stage results & analysis

MatchScoreParaguay model share
vs 🇺🇸 United States FT 1 : 4 --
vs 🇹🇷 Türkiye FT 1 : 0 --
vs 🇦🇺 Australia FT 0 : 0 --