FIFA World Cup 2026 Paraguay: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Paraguay knocked out Germany on penalties and now stand 90 minutes from a World Cup quarter-final. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Paraguay story has become the best underdog run of the tournament. La Albirroja survived a tough Group D with the United States, Australia, and Türkiye, then stunned the four-time champions in Boston. France are all that stands between them and the last eight.
Paraguay reached the knockout rounds as one of the eight best third-placed teams, their first World Cup appearance since 2010. Gustavo Alfaro, the Argentine coach who took charge in August 2024, has built one of the hardest sides to break down at this tournament. They sat 41st in the FIFA World Ranking released on June 11, 2026, the lowest-ranked team left in the Philadelphia half of the bracket.
Now comes the biggest test yet. France arrive with Kylian Mbappé in Golden Boot form and a 3-0 win over Sweden behind them.
Paraguay World Cup 2026 Schedule and Results
Paraguay run on Paraguay Time (PYT), UTC-3 all year after dropping daylight saving in 2024. That puts the country one hour ahead of US Eastern Time for the knockout matches.
| Date | Round | Opponent | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 12 | Group D | United States | Lost 1-4 | Los Angeles Stadium |
| June 19 | Group D | Türkiye | Won 1-0 | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| June 25 | Group D | Australia | Drew 0-0 | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| June 29 | Round of 32 | Germany | Won 1-1 (4-3 pens) | Boston Stadium |
| July 4 | Round of 16 | France | 5:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PYT | Philadelphia Stadium |
Four points from Group D sent Paraguay through as one of the eight best third-placed teams. In the Round of 32, Julio Enciso struck first and goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved twice in the shootout to sink Germany. That was Paraguay’s first World Cup knockout win since they beat Japan on penalties in 2010.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Paraguay
Tigo Sports is the main broadcaster in Paraguay, carrying all 104 matches, including the France Round of 16 tie, on pay-TV and the Tigo Sports app. Free-to-air channels Trece (13), Unicanal (8), GEN (12), and Popu TV (26) share coverage of La Albirroja’s games, so the France match airs on open television too.
Fans outside Paraguay can stream selected games free through FIFA+. In the United States, the France match airs on FOX One and the FOX Sports App, which carry all 104 tournament games live.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in Paraguay
Tigo Play and the Tigo Sports app stream every Paraguay match for subscribers. The free-to-air channels also carry live streams of La Albirroja’s games, and FIFA+ stays the most reliable free option abroad on web, iOS, and Android.
| Platform | Language | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tigo Sports / Tigo Play | Spanish | Subscription | All 104 matches, incl. knockouts |
| Trece / Unicanal / GEN | Spanish | Free | Free-to-air, Paraguay matches |
| FIFA+ | Multiple | Free | Selected matches, global |
| FOX One / FOX Sports App | English | Subscription | US viewers, all 104 games |
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Paraguay
Radio Ñandutí is the flagship audio partner, delivering live commentary and post-match reaction through its AM signal and app. It has become the soundtrack of the run, with José Canale’s winning penalty against Germany replayed across the country.
Radio 780 AM covers the games inside the Megacadena network, while Radio La Tribu (650 AM) rounds out the official lineup with a live signal and digital stream. All three follow Paraguay into every knockout tie.
Paraguay World Cup History and Record
Paraguay have now played at nine World Cups, starting at the very first edition in 1930. Their run to the 2026 Round of 16 matches the knockout stage they reached in 1986, 1998, 2002, and 2010. Roque Santa Cruz remains the country’s record scorer, and Paulo da Silva holds the caps record with 148.
France ended their most romantic campaign in 1998, when goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert dragged them to the last 16 before Laurent Blanc’s golden goal settled it. The peak came in 2010. Paraguay topped their group, beat Japan on penalties, then lost 1-0 to eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals.
The return took work. Paraguay finished sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying with seven wins, seven draws, and four losses, sealed by home victories over Argentina and Brazil.
| Year | Stage | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Group Stage | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1950 | Group Stage | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1958 | Group Stage | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1986 | Round of 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 1998 | Round of 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2002 | Round of 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2006 | Group Stage | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | Quarter-Finals | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Paraguay World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Alfaro sets Paraguay up in a compact 4-4-2 that defends deep and strikes on the counter. Against France that shape will sit even lower, inviting pressure and trusting Orlando Gill, the San Lorenzo goalkeeper who became a national hero in Boston. One clean break may be all they get, and all they need.
Captain Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras) anchors the back line with 88 caps and total command in the air. Diego Gómez (Brighton) drives the midfield and chips in with goals, while Julio Enciso (Strasbourg, on loan from Brighton) carries the threat that decided the Germany tie.
Wide runner Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United) and target man Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese) give Alfaro two ways to hurt tiring defenders late.
France are heavy favourites and score for fun, so Paraguay must stay perfect for 90 minutes. Win this Round of 16 and they reach a quarter-final for the first time since 2010, the ceiling of their World Cup history.
Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
How did Paraguay reach the World Cup 2026 knockout rounds?
Paraguay finished third in Group D with four points, behind the United States and Australia. They advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams, helped by a 1-0 win over Türkiye and a 0-0 draw with Australia.
Who does Paraguay play next at World Cup 2026?
Paraguay face France in the Round of 16 on July 4, 2026 at Philadelphia Stadium. Kick-off is 5:00 PM ET, which is 6:00 PM local time in Paraguay.
How did Paraguay beat Germany?
In the Round of 32 on June 29, Paraguay drew 1-1 with Germany after extra time, with Julio Enciso scoring. Orlando Gill saved twice in the shootout and Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties in Boston.
How can I watch Paraguay for free at World Cup 2026?
Free-to-air channels Trece, Unicanal, GEN, and Popu TV show Paraguay’s matches at no cost. Tigo Sports carries all 104 games, and FIFA+ streams selected matches free worldwide.
Who is Paraguay’s head coach at World Cup 2026?
Gustavo Alfaro, an Argentine manager, has led Paraguay since August 2024. He previously took Ecuador to the 2022 World Cup and also managed Costa Rica.
What is Paraguay’s best World Cup result?
Paraguay reached the quarter-finals in 2010, their best finish. The 2026 Round of 16 already matches the knockout stage they reached in 1986, 1998, and 2002.
Do Paraguayans need a visa to travel to the USA for World Cup 2026?
Paraguayan passport holders need a B-1/B-2 tourist visa and are not covered by the Visa Waiver Program. Check the official US Embassy in Paraguay visa page at py.usembassy.gov for current requirements.
Who are Paraguay’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo) and captain Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras) hold the defence together. Diego Gómez (Brighton) runs midfield and Julio Enciso (Strasbourg, on loan from Brighton) provides the attacking spark.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Paraguay run has already outlasted Germany and every prediction made before kick-off. Beat France in Philadelphia and Alfaro’s side equal the 2010 quarter-final, the proudest chapter in their history. Win or lose today, this team has given Paraguay its best World Cup nights in 16 years.
