Paraguay go into the 2026 World Cup with a squad built around older heads and younger attack-minded talent. Gustavo Gomez is the captain with 86 caps, Roberto Fernandez is 37, and Diego Leon has already taken his first international cap at 18. The question is whether that mix gives Paraguay more than a respectable group-stage profile.

Why this squad looks more balanced than Paraguay's recent reputation

The qualifying numbers are a decent starting point. Paraguay finished sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying with 28 points, the same total as Brazil, and eight points clear of seventh-place Bolivia. That does not guarantee anything at a World Cup, but it does say this is not a side arriving by accident.

Their best World Cup run came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to eventual winners Spain. That remains the benchmark, and it is a useful one because this squad has a similar feel: experienced at the back, some familiar names, and a few players who could swing a tight game.

Alderete and Enciso are the players who give Paraguay a ceiling

The most useful piece of cover for Paraguay is Sunderland's Omar Alderete. Goal.com described him as a defender who could end up being key for the side at the World Cup, and the club numbers back up why he stands out. Alderete made 32 Premier League appearances in 2025, played 2,783 minutes, and posted a 6.82 rating.

Julio Enciso brings a different sort of value. Goal.com called him a wildcard, capable of tearing defences apart on his day, and that is the right way to frame him. Enciso made 23 Ligue 1 appearances in 2025, scored 3 goals and posted a 6.99 rating. He is not being asked to carry Paraguay on his own, but he is one of the few players in the squad whose recent club output suggests a tournament moment is realistic.

That is why this Paraguay group is more interesting than a simple outsider story. The defence has a captain with 86 caps, the squad has a 37-year-old goalkeeper with Copa America silver on his record, and it also has enough younger talent to create genuine variance. If Paraguay go further than many expect, it will probably be because Alderete and Enciso give them more than the steady baseline.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →