🇵🇾 Paraguay World Cup 2026 squad: players, key names and tactical analysis

⚽ Quick guide with official squad, key players, strengths and tactical outlook.

Paraguay head into the 2026 World Cup as a strong-marking team with defensive know-how, dangerous set pieces and forwards for different contexts. FIFA’s official squad list confirms a 26-player group led by Gustavo Alfaro. In a short tournament, the challenge is turning the team’s best traits into a stable competitive structure.

⚡ Quick facts

• Team: Paraguay
• Head coach: Gustavo Alfaro
• World Cup 2026: World Cup 2026
• Team profile: a strong-marking team with defensive know-how, dangerous set pieces and forwards for different contexts

📋 Official squad list

🧤 Goalkeepers

• Gatito Fernández (Cerro Porteño, PAR)
• Orlando Gill (CA San Lorenzo, ARG)
• Gastón Olveira (Club Olimpia, PAR)

🛡️ Defenders

• Gustavo Velázquez (Cerro Porteño, PAR)
• Omar Alderete (Sunderland AFC, ENG)
• Juan Jose Cáceres (FC Dynamo Moscow, RUS)
• Fabián Balbuena (Grêmio FBPA, BRA)
• Junior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro, BRA)
• Jose Canale (CA Lanús, ARG)
• Gustavo Gómez (SE Palmeiras, BRA)
• Alexandro Maidana (CA Talleres, ARG)

🎯 Midfielders

• Ramón Sosa (SE Palmeiras, BRA)
• Diego Gómez (Brighton & Hove Albion FC, ENG)
• Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC, USA)
• Mauricio (SE Palmeiras, BRA)
• Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, CAN)
• Damián Bobadilla (São Paulo FC, BRA)
• Braian Ojeda (Orlando City SC, USA)
• Matias Galarza (Atlanta United FC, USA)
• Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth FC, ENG)

⚽ Forwards

• Antonio Sanabria (US Cremonese, ITA)
• Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Al Ain FC, UAE)
• Alex Arce (CS Independiente Rivadavia, ARG)
• Julio Enciso (RC Strasbourg, FRA)
• Gabriel Ávalos (CA Independiente, ARG)
• Isidro Pitta (Red Bull Bragantino, BRA)

🔎 Squad analysis by line

The goalkeeping group provides options for high-pressure games. The defense combines aerial presence, experience and wide alternatives. Midfield should set rhythm, protect the block and feed forwards with space to attack. The broader idea can be built around Alfaro’s order, strong centre-backs, midfield ball-winning and attacks through Almirón, Enciso or Sanabria.

⭐ Key players

• Miguel Almirón
• Julio Enciso
• Gustavo Gómez
• Diego Gómez
• Antonio Sanabria

✅ Strengths

• A 26-player squad validated from FIFA’s official list.
• A possible competitive identity based on Alfaro’s order, strong centre-backs, midfield ball-winning and attacks through Almirón, Enciso or Sanabria.
• Tactical variety to adjust by opponent, scoreline and match state.
• Internationally experienced players with complementary profiles by line.

⚠️ Questions to watch

• Efficiency in both boxes will be decisive.
• The team must maintain concentration throughout the match.
• The balance between pressing, defending deeper and building out can define the ceiling.
• The form of the key players will shape the World Cup run.

🧠 How Paraguay could play

Paraguay can build their plan around Alfaro’s order, strong centre-backs, midfield ball-winning and attacks through Almirón, Enciso or Sanabria. The structure needs to protect central areas, reduce risky losses and release the most dangerous players quickly.

🏆 What to expect at the 2026 World Cup

For Paraguay, the 2026 World Cup will demand pragmatism and precision. If ambition, order and efficiency come together, the team can compete beyond a simple name-by-name projection.

🎮 Try your prediction on WC26 Simulator

How far can Paraguay go at the 2026 World Cup? Build your bracket, simulate the tournament and share your prediction:

Simulate the World Cup 2026

📚 Sources and notes

• Official FIFA squad list, SquadLists-Spanish.pdf, page 34. Positions follow FIFA: PO goalkeeper, DF defender, MC midfielder, DC forward.