National flag: Paraguay — FIFA World Cup 2026

Paraguay Paraguay World Cup 2026: Set-Pieces & Grit | The Athletic

Los Guaraníes

What to look for?

A heavy silence hangs over the humid plains, echoing the memory of ancient sieges. Survival here was never about spectacle; it was about unyielding endurance. Now, a public desperate for modern flair clashes with a stubborn instinct to simply outlast the enemy. Watch a fiercely combative collective grind opponents into the dirt, turning every dead-ball into a lethal weapon. They are back to remind the world how to bleed.

Paraguay: A Rival Guide

How do Paraguay actually play?

Paraguay operate a compact, duel-heavy system anchored by a mid-to-low block, treating their penalty area like a besieged fortress. Possession is largely viewed as a pragmatic chore; they favour short-to-direct restarts, early diagonal passes to wide runners, and aggressive surges to win second balls, accepting risk only when the phase is strictly controlled. Out of possession, the shape slides into a rigid 4-4-2, denying central avenues and funneling the opposition wide before applying situational pressure. They actively engineer low-event matches and narrow scorelines, using tactical fouls to extinguish any sparks of rhythm. It is a footballing philosophy of deliberate austerity, where beauty is entirely optional and survival is the only metric.
/ What are Paraguay's biggest tactical strengths?

Their primary assets are aerial dominance, penalty-box defence, and a remarkably high duel win-rate within a disciplined mid-block. Rehearsed dead-ball routines, such as corners and free-kicks, serve as their main mechanism for chance creation, a fact recently proven by a 1-0 victory over Greece secured entirely via a direct free-kick. They excel at turning a football match into a gruelling war of attrition. They do not want to outplay you; they simply want to outlast you.

/ How can opponents break down the Paraguayan defence?

The cracks appear when Paraguay are forced to abandon their trench and carry the initiative against a set defence. Their deep retreats routinely isolate the lone striker, while aggressive strong-side overloads leave them exposed to rapid cross-field switches. Furthermore, sustained high pressing can fracture their composure, leading to a cascade of cumulative yellow cards that eventually tilts control. Force them to paint the canvas, and they quickly run out of ideas.

/ What formations do Paraguay use during a match?

They start with a baseline 4-2-3-1 that drops into a stubborn 4-4-2 when out of possession. With the ball, the structure morphs into an asymmetric 3-2-5 or 2-3-5, driven by full-backs who push forward to stretch the play. When chasing a deficit, the contingency protocol involves throwing on a second striker, drastically spiking the crossing volume, and hunting for set-pieces. It is a mechanical shift from calculated endurance to desperate, aerial bombardment.

Mastermind:

Who manages the Paraguay national team?

Gustavo Alfaro, an Argentine pragmatist appointed in August 2024, is the architect of Paraguay's current defensive solidity. He rebuilt the team following a disastrous 2024 Copa América, instilling a drilled rest-defence and a meticulous focus on set-pieces, which culminated in World Cup qualification. He plans matches in rigid 'blocks' and selects players based on specific profiles needed for the opponent. His signature traits include pre-coded set-piece routines and a readily available 'Plan B' involving twin strikers and a barrage of crosses when chasing a game.
What is Alfaro’s default tactical setup?

Alfaro sets the team up in a 4-2-3-1 that drops into a rigid 4-4-2 out of possession. He prioritises a compact mid-block and aggressive lane denial, transitioning quickly through wide runners and the central striker. Set-pieces remain the primary engine for chance creation.

How does the manager adapt when the team loses control?

When control slips, Alfaro injects vertical pace and fresh legs, often turning to dynamic options like Julio Enciso. He simplifies the attacking routes, relying heavily on early diagonal balls and hunting for second balls. If trailing, he will switch to a two-striker system to maximize crossing volume and set-piece chaos.

What is Alfaro’s approach to squad selection?

Alfaro selects players strictly based on merit and their ability to execute specific tactical roles. He is open to calling up late-bloomers or dual-nationals if they fit a precise need within his system. He consistently values high physical output and tactical discipline over individual flair.

“Xerife”

Gustavo Raúl Gómez Portillo

Right-sided or central centre-back and captain

Palmeiras

Dominates the penalty area, launches the first vertical or diagonal pass out of the backline, and serves as the primary target on attacking set-pieces.

Thrives when the team is under siege; the responsibility of leadership sharpens his focus and dead-ball timing.

Authoritative box defence and a constant goal threat from corners.

“Miggy”

Miguel Ángel Almirón Rejala

Right-sided attacker or attacking midfielder

Atlanta United

Carries the ball aggressively through the right half-space, links up via third-man runs, and delivers low cutbacks into the box.

Switches on when allowed to drift inside and combine with runners; if pinned to the touchline as a static winger, his influence evaporates.

High-speed diagonal carries that rupture defensive lines.

“La Joya”

Julio César Enciso

Inside forward, second striker, or attacking midfielder

Strasbourg

Knee/meniscus issues in 2025; currently fit with managed load.

Relies on an explosive first step, rapid one-two combinations, and late penalty-box entries to bypass defensive blocks.

Confidence surges when given the tactical freedom to roam between the lines; highly impactful as a late game-changer against tired legs.

A constant threat for spectacular long-range goals after cutting inside.

“Tonny”

Antonio Sanabria

Centre-forward

Cremonese

Minor knock early 2026; fully available in March window.

Makes blind-side runs, darts to the front post, finishes with one touch, and acts as the target for early diagonals.

His confidence spikes dramatically following early service or a decisive duel win in the opening minutes.

Impeccable timing at the near post to meet low crosses.

/ Is Ramón Sosa the main one-on-one outlet now?

Ramón Sosa (Palmeiras) has fully recovered from a left-thigh issue that plagued him in late 2025, and his pace was back to peak levels by February 2026. Operating primarily as a winger on either flank, he is an explosive dribbler who cuts from the outside in. He is the essential release valve during rapid counter-attacks.

/ Is Andrés Cubas fit to anchor the midfield?

Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps) suffered a quadriceps strain in late March 2026 but resumed on-field work by early April. He has been cleared for managed minutes. As a defensive midfielder, he excels at screening passing lanes and winning the ball before launching quick, simple first passes to relieve pressure.

/ How is Omar Alderete utilised on set-pieces?

Omar Alderete (Getafe CF) acts as a dominant aerial target on corners and free-kicks, specifically attacking the back post. He started against Greece in March 2026 and remains a regular enforcer in the air, tasked with winning the vital first contact in both penalty areas.

/ Is Júnior Alonso still starting after his recent red card?

Júnior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro) received a club-level red card in March 2026, but this does not affect his national team eligibility. He played 79 minutes against Greece shortly after. He functions as the left-sided defensive organiser, frequently launching long diagonal passes to bypass the midfield.

Paraguay: Domestic Realities

/ Is Julio Enciso fully recovered from his knee injuries for the tournament?

The forward is officially fit, having started the March friendly against Greece without any reported setbacks. His club minutes at Strasbourg are ongoing, though the national medical staff will heavily manage his workload given the meniscus scares of 2025. In a squad built for collective suffering, he is the rare luxury item that requires bubble wrap.

/ Will the controversial new national team kit be changed before the summer?

There are no official plans to redesign the heavily mocked kit before the tournament begins. The March launch triggered a wave of internet memes and formal petitions, with fans likening the erratic stripes to a child's crayon drawing. The federation has responded with its traditional administrative silence, hoping the noise will simply evaporate. It is a classic exercise in bureaucratic endurance.

/ Who takes the direct free-kicks for the national team?

Diego Gómez is the current primary option, having justified his mandate by scoring the winning free-kick against Greece. Julio Enciso stands as the designated deputy for long-range efforts, while Kaku steps in for specific situational angles. In a system where open-play goals are a statistical anomaly, these dead-ball specialists carry the weight of the entire nation's attacking hopes.

/ Did the government actually declare a public holiday for qualifying?

Yes, the government decreed a national holiday immediately after qualification was secured on the 5th of September 2025. Official celebrations were staged across the weekend, transforming a basic sporting requirement into an act of state-sponsored catharsis. After a decade banished from the global stage, mere survival was elevated to the status of a military triumph.

/ What is the tactical approach if the team is losing late in a match?

The contingency protocol involves deploying two traditional centre-forwards, pairing Antonio Sanabria with either Gabriel Ávalos or Álex Arce. The midfield bypasses the centre entirely, resorting to a heavy volume of direct crosses and aggressively hunting for set-piece opportunities around the box. It is less of a tactical evolution and more of an organised, desperate siege.

/ Is Roberto 'Gatito' Fernández guaranteed to start in goal?

The manager offered public backing in 2025, but the absolute certainty of his starting spot is currently under intense review. Four different goalkeepers were summoned during the mid-year windows, as the coaching staff meticulously audit club minutes and form. In this country, the goalkeeper is not merely a player but a guardian archetype; handing over the gloves requires a full consensus of the elders.

Reuters Connect – Greece 0-1 Paraguay photograph and caption (free-kick winner)

The Washington Post – Match report on Strasbourg 3-1 Monaco (Enciso brace)

CONMEBOL/Copa América – Gustavo Alfaro appointed as Paraguay head coach

Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol (APF) – National team squad announcements and match reports

Presidencia de la República del Paraguay – Official statement on World Cup qualification celebrations

La Nación (Paraguay) – Alfaro: 'They demand high physical output'

ABC Color – Enciso knee injury updates and player profiles

SE Palmeiras – Gustavo Gómez playing minutes and fitness status