Paraguay

Paraguay carry one of South America's proudest underdog traditions into the 2026 World Cup. La Albirroja built their reputation around the turn of the century, qualifying for a string of consecutive tournaments and earning a name as one of the most stubborn, hard-running defensive sides in the game. Their finest hour came in South Africa in 2010, when they ground their way to the quarterfinals for the first time — a run that still defines what this team believes it can be.

What followed was a long, painful absence from the sport's biggest stage, which makes this return feel like a national exhale. Group D gives them a storyline-rich landing spot: the host United States with home crowds at their back, a Türkiye side also savoring a return from the international wilderness, and an Australia team that has made a habit of outperforming expectations. There is no giant here to fear — and that is exactly what makes this group so dangerously open.

Paraguay's schedule is a West Coast tour. They open against the United States — 12 Jun 2026, 18:00 local at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles — then face Türkiye — 19 Jun 2026, 20:00 local at Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area — before closing against Australia — 25 Jun 2026, 19:00 local at Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area (listed home). Facing the hosts on day two of the tournament is as loud an opening assignment as the draw could have handed them.

The 48-team format works in their favor: the top two in Group D advance to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament. For a side built on organization, set-piece menace and sheer refusal to be broken down, even four or five points could be enough to extend the journey. Paraguay have historically saved their best football for tournaments where nobody picked them — and nobody is picking them now.