Paraguay World Cup 2026 Squad Quotes — Julio Enciso, Miguel Almirón & Gustavo Gómez Shock the World
Paraguayan football has always been defined by one word: garra — the claw, the refusal to surrender. From the quarter-final run at South Africa 2010 to the goal-scoring goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert of the 1998 and 2002 sides, La Albirroja has made a habit of frustrating far bigger names. The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico is Paraguay's first since 2010, and coach Gustavo Alfaro has built a squad in the classic mould: a disciplined 4-4-2, two compact banks of four, and lightning transitions through Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso, all marshalled by Palmeiras centre-back and captain Gustavo Gómez.
And what a return it has been. Drawn in a group with the host United States, Australia and Türkiye, Paraguay squeezed into the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams — and then produced the shock of the tournament. In the Round of 32 against Germany, Julio Enciso struck on 42 minutes, Kai Havertz equalised on 54, and after extra time ended 1–1, Paraguay won the penalty shootout 4–3, with young goalkeeper Orlando Gill turning hero. At the time of writing (early July 2026), the Round of 16 is under way: Paraguay face France on July 4 in Philadelphia, with nothing decided.
Paraguay's World Cup 2026 Regular Squad
Alfaro sets Paraguay up in a disciplined 4-4-2 that defends deep and breaks fast. Coach: Gustavo Alfaro. Captain: Gustavo Gómez.
| Position | Player | Club (2026) | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Orlando Gill | San Lorenzo | Shootout hero against Germany |
| GK | Gatito Fernández | Cerro Porteño | Veteran presence in goal |
| RB | Juan José Cáceres | Dynamo Moscow | Energetic right flank |
| CB | Gustavo Gómez (C) | Palmeiras | Captain; ex-AC Milan, 88+ caps |
| CB | Fabián Balbuena | Grêmio | Aerial power at both ends |
| CB | Júnior Alonso | Atlético Mineiro | Left-sided defensive rock |
| LB/CB | Omar Alderete | Sunderland | Premier League steel |
| DM | Andrés Cubas | Vancouver Whitecaps | Ball-winner in front of the back four |
| CM | Diego Gómez | Brighton & Hove Albion | Box-to-box drive |
| CM | Damián Bobadilla | São Paulo | Tenacious central presence |
| RM | Miguel Almirón | Atlanta United | Counter-attacking spearhead |
| AM/FW | Julio Enciso | Strasbourg | Scored vs Germany; the 22-year-old jewel |
| FW | Antonio Sanabria | Cremonese | Experienced reference up front |
| FW | Ramón Sosa | Palmeiras | Pace in behind |
| FW | Isidro Pitta | Red Bull Bragantino | Physical option off the bench |
Quotes from Paraguay's Coach and Legends
"I told them I wanted to see 26 warriors walk in and 26 legends walk out." ("Les dije que quería ver entrar a 26 guerreros y salir a 26 leyendas.")
Source: Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay head coach, speaking to the press after the penalty-shootout victory over Germany at the 2026 World Cup. The team talk that preceded the biggest win in Paraguay's modern history.
"Today we defended, with our fingernails and with dignity, the true identity of Paraguayan football against a world power."
Source: Gustavo Alfaro, post-match comments after eliminating Germany, July 2026 — a result he called the greatest victory of his career.
"I would have liked Chilavert to call me, instead of being a sniper."
Source: Gustavo Alfaro, responding at the 2026 World Cup to fierce public criticism from goalkeeping legend José Luis Chilavert — a very Paraguayan feud settled, for now, on the pitch.
"They brought in a coach who gives self-help talks instead of tactics."
Source: José Luis Chilavert, radio comments before Paraguay's Round of 32 match against Germany, 2026. Days later, Alfaro's "self-help" Paraguay knocked out the four-time champions — and the quote became part of tournament folklore.
"Until I was seven I lived barefoot. We played with a green grapefruit."
Source: José Luis Chilavert, interview recalling his childhood in Luque (Infobae, 2021). The goal-scoring goalkeeper of the 1998 World Cup remains the ultimate symbol of Paraguayan defiance born from nothing.
"My values have no price." ("Mis valores no tienen precio.")
Source: José Luis Chilavert, interview (Infobae, 2021). The creed of a captain who took penalties, took free kicks and took on the whole world for Paraguay.
FAQ: Paraguay at the World Cup 2026
Who is Paraguay's captain at the 2026 World Cup?
Paraguay are captained by Gustavo Gómez, the Palmeiras centre-back and former AC Milan defender with more than 88 international caps. The squad is coached by Argentine Gustavo Alfaro, who led La Albirroja to their first World Cup appearance since South Africa 2010 and then to a famous penalty-shootout win over Germany in 2026.
How did Paraguay beat Germany at the 2026 World Cup?
In the Round of 32, Julio Enciso put Paraguay ahead on 42 minutes before Kai Havertz equalised on 54. The match finished 1–1 after extra time, and Paraguay won the penalty shootout 4–3, with goalkeeper Orlando Gill emerging as the hero. It was one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 World Cup and sent Paraguay into a Round of 16 tie against France in Philadelphia.
Who is Paraguay's most famous footballer?
Paraguay's most famous footballer is arguably José Luis Chilavert, the goal-scoring goalkeeper who captained the team at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and scored more than 60 career goals from penalties and free kicks. Historic greats include Arsenio Erico, the all-time top scorer of Argentine first-division football, while today's stars are Miguel Almirón, Julio Enciso and captain Gustavo Gómez.
Related Quote Collections
- World Cup 2026 Quotes Hub — All 32 nations in one place
- Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad Quotes — Messi and the defending champions
- Brazil World Cup 2026 Squad Quotes — Vinícius, Neymar and the Seleção
- Ecuador World Cup 2026 Squad Quotes — Caicedo, Enner Valencia and La Tri
- Lionel Messi Quotes — South America's greatest star