Paraguay’s national team manager Gustavo Alfaro has announced the final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the nation’s return to the tournament for the first time since 2010. The announcement was made by the Selección Paraguaya via social media on June 1st, 2026.
The squad features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, including Strasbourg forward Julio Enciso and Sunderland defender Omar Alderete. Veteran Miguel Almiron, formerly of Newcastle United, also earns a place in Alfaro’s selection. Paraguay will compete in Group D, facing a challenging set of opponents including the host nation, the United States, as well as Australia and Turkey.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa remains a high point for Paraguayan football, where they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Spain. Alfaro will be hoping to replicate, or even surpass, that success in the upcoming tournament. The squad includes three goalkeepers: Gatito Fernández of Cerro Porteño, Orlando Gill of San Lorenzo, and Gastón Oliveira of Olimpia.
The defensive line consists of Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Gustavo Velázquez, Fabián Balbuena, Júnior Alonso, Omar Alderete, José Canale, and Alexandro Maidana. Midfield options include Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, Matías Galarza, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Braian Ojeda, and Maurício Magalhães. The attacking contingent features Alex Arce, Miguel Almiron, Isidro Pitta, Ramón Sosa, Gabriel Ávalos, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso, and Gustavo Caballero. Paraguay’s qualification for the World Cup has already been met with celebrations and a public holiday in the country, reflecting the significance of the achievement for the nation.
