Why Paraguay Are the Team Everyone Fears in World Cup 2026 Group D

When Paraguay's Julio Enciso wheeled away to celebrate with Miguel Almirón, the image crystallised a narrative that has swept through South America: La Albirroja are back, and they are nobody's pushovers. After nearly two decades of World Cup absence and a humiliating 2024 Copa América, the team widely mocked has transformed into the side no one wants to face in Group D of the 2026 tournament, alongside the USA, Turkey and Australia.

The Alfaro Revolution: From Despair to Defiance

The catalyst for Paraguay's resurrection is 63-year-old Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro. Appointed in August 2024, Alfaro inherited a dispirited squad that had lost direction. "I would love people to see Paraguay again as the team no one wants to face," he declared, and within months he delivered. According to The Guardian, Alfaro restored morale, revived belief, and forged a collective unit that achieved the unthinkable in qualifying: a home victory over Brazil and a come-from-behind win against world champions Argentina. That victory in Asunción, coming after conceding first, sent shockwaves through the continent and announced Paraguay as a genuine threat.

Alfaro's impact was immediate and profound. He instilled a tactical discipline that capitalised on Paraguay's traditional grit while adding layers of strategic sophistication. The team that had become a laughing stock at the 2024 Copa América suddenly looked compact, organised, and lethal on the counter. This revival is not built on star power alone but on a collective steeliness that makes them awkward opponents for any team, especially in a tournament setting where pragmatism often trumps flair.

Star Power: Enciso and Almirón Provide the Spark

While the collective is paramount, Paraguay do possess game-changers. Miguel Almirón, the fleet-footed Newcastle United winger, brings Premier League experience and creative verve. Alongside him, Julio Enciso, the young Brighton forward, has emerged as a dynamic goal-scoring threat. Their celebration captured in The Guardian's image symbolises the new energy Alfaro has unleashed. Enciso's ability to find space in tight areas and Almirón's direct dribbling give Paraguay a cutting edge that can hurt any defence, particularly on the break.

Telecom Asia highlights the contrast in Group D: the USA and Turkey boast greater individual attacking talent, but Paraguay's strength lies in their compactness. That compactness, however, is not merely defensive. Enciso and Almirón are the outlets that transform resilience into rapid, incisive attacks. Their understanding and movement will be pivotal as Paraguay look to exploit the spaces left by more expansive opponents.

Group D Rivals: A Study in Contrasts

Paraguay's opponents offer varied challenges. The USA, hosting the tournament and ranked 16th under Mauricio Pochettino, will expect to progress comfortably. Turkey, led by Vincenzo Montella, possess technical quality reminiscent of their 2002 semi-final run, while Australia, under Tony Popovic, rely on set-pieces and relentless work rate. Telecom Asia notes that the defining feature of the group is the clash of styles: USA and Turkey's attacking flair versus Paraguay and Australia's pragmatism.

For Paraguay, the opening match against the USA on June 13 is a perfect platform. Facing the hosts in front of a partisan crowd, Paraguay's low-block resilience and counter-attacking speed could frustrate Pochettino's men, who sometimes struggle to break down stubborn defences. Against Turkey, Paraguay's physicality and discipline will be tested by creative midfielders, but Alfaro's side have shown they can absorb pressure and strike late, as they did against Argentina. Australia, meanwhile, present a mirror image: two well-drilled, hard-working units where set-pieces may prove decisive. The final group fixture between Paraguay and Australia on June 26 could be a tense, attritional battle for knockout stage qualification.

Tactical Analysis

Alfaro's Paraguay are built on a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 shape that prioritises defensive solidity over possession. They concede ground in midfield, allowing opponents to have the ball in non-threatening areas before springing traps. This was evident in the win over Argentina, where they absorbed first-half pressure, made tactical adjustments, and exploited defensive lapses with quick transitions. The twin threat of Almirón cutting inside from the left and Enciso's sharp movements behind defences forces opponents to stay honest, preventing full-backs from pushing too high.

Set-pieces are another weapon. Paraguay have historically been strong in the air, and with Australia also relying on this avenue, the group could be decided by dead-ball moments. Against the USA, Paraguay will likely sit deep and look to hit on the break, targeting the space behind the American full-backs who like to roam forward. Turkey's more fluid attacking system will require Paraguay's midfield two to be positionally disciplined, cutting passing lanes and forcing errors. In the likely decisive match against Australia, Paraguay's experience in high-stakes South American qualifiers could be the edge; they are battle-hardened from facing Brazil and Argentina, while Australia's Asian qualification route, though successful, lacked the same relentless intensity.

If Alfaro keeps his team believing, Paraguay can realistically target second place in Group D. Their journey from afterthought to dark horse is complete. Now, they must prove that the "team no one wants to face" can achieve the results that once seemed beyond them.