Scouting report
Paraguay return to the World Cup stage after missing out on Qatar 2022, ending a painful absence that wounded a proud footballing nation. Under a revitalized setup, the Albirroja rediscovered their grit and qualified from the brutal CONMEBOL marathon.
This is a side built on the traditional Paraguayan virtues — organization, physicality and resolute defending — but laced with a new generation of attacking talent emerging in Europe. Expectations are measured but hopeful: simply being back is a triumph, and a knockout run would electrify Asunción.
Style of play
Compact, defensively disciplined and dangerous on the counter, relying on set-pieces and quick transitions through pacey wide players.
X-factor
Julio Enciso's unpredictable dribbling and long-range strikes can unlock a deadlocked match in an instant.
Outlook
Reaching the Round of 16 would represent a genuine success; this group's ceiling is a hard-fought knockout appearance built on defensive solidity.
Key players
Model outlook
Proj. finish
34.9
Exp. points
2.05
Seed Elo
1690
Title-odds trajectory
Champion % across 9 daily snapshots
Full squad
- 112caps
Roberto Fernández
Belgrano · Emerging first-choice keeper
- 126caps
Carlos Coronel
New York Red Bulls · MLS shot-stopper option
- 233caps
Ángel Romero
Cerro Porteño · Domestic backup goalkeeper
- 268caps
Gustavo Gómez
Palmeiras · Captain and defensive rock
- 345caps
Omar Alderete
Getafe · Aggressive ball-playing center-back
- 450caps
Fabián Balbuena
Dynamo Moscow · Experienced commanding defender
- 542caps
Junior Alonso
Krasnodar · Composed left-sided defender
- 630caps
Robert Rojas
River Plate · Energetic attacking full-back
- 1318caps
Juan Cáceres
Atlético Mineiro · Versatile defensive cover
- 1415caps
Agustín Sández
Boca Juniors · Marauding left-back option
- 1520caps
Blas Riveros
Olimpia · Reliable overlapping defender
- 718caps
Ramón Sosa
Nottingham Forest · Pacey wing threat
- 828caps
Andrés Cubas
Vancouver Whitecaps · Tenacious holding midfielder
- 1025caps
Diego Gómez
Brighton · Creative driving playmaker
- 1635caps
Mathías Villasanti
Grêmio · Box-to-box engine
- 1740caps
Richard Sánchez
Club América · Composed deep distributor
- 1812caps
Damián Bobadilla
São Paulo · Promising young midfielder
- 2022caps
Julio Enciso
Ipswich Town · Explosive attacking spark
- 948caps
Antonio Sanabria
Torino · Hard-working veteran striker
- 1160caps
Miguel Almirón
Atlanta United · Talismanic attacking leader
- 1916caps
Adam Bareiro
San Lorenzo · Powerful penalty-box finisher
- 2110caps
Gabriel Ávalos
Argentinos Juniors · Aerial target man
- 2230caps
Alejandro Romero Gamarra
Tigres UANL · Versatile attacking option
World Cup history
2022
Did not qualify / Group stage