Paraguay arrive at the 2026 World Cup for the ninth time, returning after a 16 year absence that began following their finest hour: the 2010 quarterfinals in South Africa, where they beat Japan on penalties in the round of 16 before falling one nil to eventual champions Spain. That run remains the high point of a story that stretches back to the very first World Cup in 1930. Known as La Albirroja, Paraguay have built their identity on defensive solidity, collective organisation, and an ability to grind out results against teams with superior resources.

Paraguay's road to 2026 was turbulent and ultimately triumphant. A dismal start under coach Daniel Garnero saw them score just one goal and collect five points in the opening stretch of CONMEBOL qualifying, but the appointment of Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro after the 2024 Copa América changed everything. Alfaro turned Asunción into a fortress and delivered scalps that mattered: a one nil win over Brazil in September 2024, courtesy of a Diego Gómez goal, and a two goals to one home victory over Argentina the following November. Paraguay sealed their place in the tournament on 09/04/25 with a goalless draw against Ecuador at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco, finishing sixth in the CONMEBOL table with one match still to play.