The story
Paraguay have never won a World Cup, never even reached a semi-final, and yet they carry into every tournament a reputation that makes bigger nations quietly nervous. They are South America's great survivors, a nation of five million people who punch so far above their weight it almost feels like a philosophical position. Their finest hour came in 2010 in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals without winning a single knockout game in 90 minutes — beating Japan and Paraguay on penalties before finally falling to Spain, the eventual champions. It was stubborn, glorious, completely Paraguayan.
That identity — gritty, organised, hard to break down, dangerous on the counter — is baked into the culture. La Albirroja don't dazzle you. They suffocate you, frustrate you, and then nick something when you least expect it. The 2026 squad blends that old-school resilience with genuine attacking quality, which makes this edition potentially the most dangerous version of Paraguay in a generation.
Miguel Almirón brings Premier League battle-hardiness on the wing. Antonio Sanabria offers a centre-forward who knows where the net is. But the real excitement is Julio Enciso, the Brighton playmaker who has the kind of spark that turns a decent tournament into a legendary one. If those three click together, Paraguay won't just be awkward opponents — they'll be a genuine story.
What to watch
Watch Paraguay for the slow-burn drama of a side that makes every match feel like a heist film — they'll look like they're losing control right up until they aren't. Julio Enciso in particular is box-office, the sort of player who does something outrageous every few games just to remind you he exists.
X-factor
Julio Enciso — still only 20, fearless on the ball, and capable of producing a moment of pure invention that can unlock any defence on the planet.
Paraguay will arrive quietly, annoy everyone, and at least one big nation will go home cursing them before the knockouts are done.