Paraguay
FIFA World Cup 2026 — Betting Profile
Playing Style
Paraguay under Gustavo Alfaro are compact, physical, and dangerous from dead balls — exactly the formula that punches above weight at World Cups. Miguel Almiron (Newcastle United) is the engine: pressing, passing, scoring from distance. Antonio Sanabria (Torino) is the old-school No. 9 who wins aerial duels and holds the line. Alfaro had Ecuador over-achieving at WC 2022 — he knows exactly how to get a mid-tier CONMEBOL side to perform. Group D with USA and Australia is wide open. Paraguay are legitimate second-place contenders and a push to the Round of 16. Totals: UNDER — Alfaro's systems are built to control and grind.
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Miguel Almiron | 24 |
| Antonio Sanabria | 16 |
| Ramón Sosa | 10 |
Miguel Almiron — Newcastle United. The most underrated player at this World Cup. Almiron covered more ground per game than any midfielder in the Premier League in 2024/25. Goals, assists, pressing, long shots — he does everything.
Antonio Sanabria — Torino. Classic South American No. 9. Physical, aerial, technically decent. Scores from crosses and set pieces. Alfaro builds attacks around his hold-up play.
Ramón Sosa — Nottingham Forest. Energetic left winger who cuts inside. Broke out at Talleres in Argentina before moving to the Premier League. Direct and hard-working.
Set Piece Roles
Miguel Almiron
Miguel Almiron / Ángel Romero
Ángel Romero (delivery) / Antonio Sanabria, Gustavo Gómez (aerial targets)
Tactical Breakdown
Alfaro turned Ecuador into dark horses at WC 2022 by doing exactly this: compact shape, fast transitions, clinical finishing, set piece goals. Paraguay are better technically than that Ecuador side. Almiron at 30 is the best player Alfaro has ever had. Group D — USA have home support but are fallible in defense, Australia are direct and physical. Paraguay should win one game and draw another. The over/under on their games is one of the clearest bets: Alfaro teams play 1-0, 1-1, 2-1. Never 3-2 or 4-3.
Shot Creators & Assisters
Newcastle United. 30 years old, peak World Cup age. Distance covered, press intensity, late runs into the box — Almiron is the complete midfielder. Every Newcastle fan saw it: he is world-class in this role.
Torino. Hold-up striker who makes Paraguay functional going forward. Wins aerial balls, links play, and scores when it counts. His relationship with Almiron off set pieces is practiced and dangerous.
São Paulo. Veteran winger who provides the final ball. Delivery from wide is Paraguay's best attacking mechanism outside of direct play.
Set Piece Aerial Targets
6'1". The first target at every corner and free kick. Alfaro drilled set piece routines obsessively at Ecuador — expect the same here.
AC Milan. Captain and defensive leader. Attacks corners at the back post. Has scored crucial headers for Paraguay in qualifying.
Group D Standings
Group D standings will update live once the tournament kicks off June 11, 2026.
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Paraguay | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Australia | — | — | — | — | — | — |
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