The Paraguayan national team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing 1-0 to France, with a penalty goal converted by Mbappé, but leaves the tournament proud of its solid defensive performance and return after 16 years of absence.
Gustavo Alfaro
Pytagua coverage mentioning Gustavo Alfaro.
Mbappé and Deschamps highlight respect for Paraguay, which eliminated Germany, ahead of the Round of 16 match in the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for July 4 in Philadelphia.
Paraguay beat Germany 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw, advanced to the 2026 World Cup round of 16, and had a national holiday declared by President Santiago Peña to celebrate the historic victory.
Paraguay has established new unified rules for foreigners to prove economic solvency when applying for permanent residence, which will take effect on July 6, 2026.
Paraguay faces Turkey this Friday at midnight (Paraguay time) at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara in a crucial Group D match of the 2026 World Cup, after losing 4-1 to the United States in their opener and needing a result to keep their qualification hopes alive.
The Paraguay national team faces Nicaragua this Friday at 7:15 p.m. at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción in a farewell friendly ahead of the World Cup in North America, following a 16-year absence, with head coach Gustavo Alfaro defining the starting lineup and the goalkeeper position as the main unknown among Orlando Gill, Gatito Fernández, and Gastón Olveira.
Paraguayan forward Isidro Pitta has been confirmed as the 26th and final player on La Albirroja's definitive squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, following a strong first half of the year at Bragantino, where he recorded nine goals and five assists in 28 matches.
The Paraguayan national team has stepped up its preparations for the 2026 World Cup at the High-Performance Sports Center (Carde) in Ypané, with the arrival of players based abroad, including Gustavo Gómez, Ramón Sosa, Maurício Magalhães, Gustavo Velázquez, and Roberto Junior Fernández, under the command of head coach Gustavo Alfaro.