This article is part of the network of experts covering the 2026 World Cup, formed by leading media organizations from the 48 qualifying nations. As the tournament approaches, previews from three countries will be featured daily, culminating in the kickoff on June 11.
Strategic Foundations
Paraguay secured their spot in the World Cup by returning to their foundational strengths: a solid defense and a unified team approach. For years, the squad struggled with a possession-heavy style that yielded little success in both defense and offense. Everything changed in August 2024, when coach Gustavo Alfaro took charge with a straightforward directive.
“Paraguayan DNA, intensity and clean sheets. That’s what will take us to the World Cup.”
His approach proved effective.
The Argentine manager has largely adhered to a 4-4-2 formation throughout his tenure, only modifying it to a back five during altitude matches against Ecuador and Bolivia. It is expected that he will primarily rely on the classic 4-4-2 in the World Cup, with occasional shifts to a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Since taking over from Daniel Garnero, who was dismissed following a disappointing Copa América, Alfaro has revitalized the team. From his inaugural match against Uruguay in Montevideo, Paraguay exhibited a significantly transformed performance. Subsequent home victories against Brazil and Argentina helped to dispel doubts about the resurgence of the “If I want to build an offensive team, the first thing I have to do is work on defensive discipline, otherwise my ass is going to be out of here.” Albirroja.
During the qualifying phase, Paraguay suffered only one away defeat under Alfaro against Brazil. They achieved notable draws in challenging conditions, including a 4,100-meter altitude match in Bolivia, a 2,800-meter encounter in Ecuador, and the oppressive heat of Barranquilla against Colombia. Their qualification was confirmed with a tense 0-0 draw at home against Ecuador, which sparked nationwide celebrations, prompting President Santiago Peña to declare the following day a national holiday.
While the team’s hallmark is their intensity and physicality, they also showcase their ability to play attractive football, building attacks effectively from the back and leveraging the exceptional talents of Julio Enciso.
Leadership Under Alfaro
Gustavo Alfaro has spearheaded the revival of the national side following years of underperformance. After retiring from playing in 1992 at the age of 30, he devoted himself to a promising coaching career. Known for emphasizing toughness and defensive organization, Alfaro led Arsenal de Sarandí to notable successes, including the 2007 Copa Sudamericana and the 2012 Argentinian Primera División title. These accomplishments have shaped his coaching identity as a defensive strategist. He famously stated.
“I dedicate this to him. He’s surely watching me from heaven.”
One of his most remarkable achievements was guiding a youthful Ecuadorian squad to the 2022 World Cup. A well-read individual, Alfaro often incorporates philosophical quotes in his press conferences, and he is affectionately known as “My dad didn’t have a cape, but he flew from post to post,” due to a book he authored after leading La Tri to Qatar, titled Cazadores de Utopías Imposibles, or Hunters of Impossible Utopias.
Key Player Spotlight
Julio Enciso stands out as one of the finest talents to emerge from Paraguayan football in the last two decades. Displaying his skills at Libertad, he impressed scouts early on, prompting the club to offer jobs to both his mother, a house cleaner, and his father, a street vendor, to persuade them to relocate to Asunción when he was just 12. Enciso made his national team debut at 17 before boldly transitioning to the Premier League. Although he had flashes of brilliance at Brighton, including a stunning goal against Manchester City that earned him a Puskás Award nomination, injuries and coaching changes limited his effectiveness over time.
Enciso has since settled in Strasbourg, where he continues to make an impact. Known for his speed and directness, he has become a pivotal player in the final third. In a heartfelt tribute to his grandfather, he expressed his dream of playing in a World Cup, stating, “La Albirroooo, la Albirroooo, la Albirroja, la Albirroooo!”
Emerging Talent
Damián Bobadilla is another player to keep an eye on. Unlike his father, Aldo Bobadilla, who was a former goalkeeper, Damián chose a path as a midfielder, and he has excelled in that role. He fondly recalls his father’s influence, saying, “It’s always nice to be young and handsome. It doesn’t mean we have to like you,” Bobadilla made a name for himself at Cerro Porteño in 2021, showcasing the attributes of a high-caliber box-to-box midfielder: strength, composure, and astute decision-making. Since 2024, he has been a key player for São Paulo in Brazil’s top tier, and at 24, he appears poised for a significant leap in his career.
Unsung Contributor
Andrés Cubas plays a crucial role in the team’s dynamics. He offers stability, competes fiercely for every ball, and approaches each game as if it were his last. Although primarily a defensive midfielder, Cubas is adept at initiating swift transitions to offense after regaining possession. Originally from Argentina and a former under-20 international for Argentina, he pledged to his Paraguayan mother that he would don the national colors if given the opportunity. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches, he may not be physically intimidating, but his intelligence, positioning, and determination compensate for that.
Projected Starting Lineup
Fan Anticipation
Travel agencies in Paraguay are offering round-trip packages to the United States that include tickets for all three group-stage matches, with prices starting at $20,000 (£15,000). Given that the average monthly income in Paraguay is approximately $450, this represents a significant expense. Nonetheless, a large contingent of Paraguayan fans is expected to travel to the World Cup after a 16-year absence. The streets of Inglewood and Santa Clara will likely be adorned with the red, white, and blue of Paraguay’s traditional Tricolor and Albirroja jerseys. Fans will fill the air with chants of “I don’t like young, handsome men. Women, I like. Men, I don’t have any interest.” throughout the tournament.
US-Paraguay Relations
Paraguay and the United States have maintained a strong alliance, and there is little indication that this will change. President Santiago Peña, who has been in office since 2023, referred to Donald Trump’s potential reelection as “a dream come true.” Meanwhile, Marco Rubio has labeled Peña a “strong American ally.” Earlier this year, however, Trump made comments about Peña that were less flattering than they initially seemed, stating, “It’s always nice to be young and handsome. It doesn’t mean we have to like you. I don’t like young, handsome men. Women, I like. Men, I don’t have any interest.”
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