After 16 years of waiting, Paraguay's passionate fans will finally hear their country's anthem at the 2026 FIFA World Cup once again.
Paraguay's last appearance, at South Africa 2010, ended in a quarter-final defeat by eventual champions Spain.
While that remains their best run at the tournament, the current crop of talent will hope to go one step further this summer in North America.
Having made it to the tournament as one of six teams from South America (CONMEBOL), Paraguay stunned two football giants along the way: reigning champions Argentina and record five-time winners Brazil.
The squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Gatito Fernández (Cerro Porteño), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo), Gastón Olveira (Olimpia)
Defenders: Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras), Júnior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro), Fabián Balbuena (Grêmio), Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Juan José Cáceres (Dynamo Moscow), Gustavo Velázquez (Cerro Porteño), José Canale (Lanus), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres)
Midfielders: Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United), Kaku (Al-Ain), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ramón Sosa (Palmeiras), Diego Gómez (Brighton), Damián Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City), Matías Galarza (Atlanta United), Maurício (Palmeiras)
Forwards: Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Gabriel Ávalos (Independiente), Álex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia), Isidro Pitta (Red Bull Bragantino), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth)
They have been drawn in Group D with co-hosts USA, Türkiye and Australia.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be held from next Wednesday to 19th July.
Source: Olympic
