Paraguay vs Australia – Predicted lineup and team news

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The Football Faithful

·25 Juni 2026

Paraguay vs Australia – Predicted lineup and team news

Paraguay face Australia at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in the early hours of Friday morning, needing a win to guarantee second place in Group D.

A draw sends Australia through on the head-to-head tiebreaker, leaving Gustavo Alfaro’s side dependent on the third-place rankings. That is a risk Los Guaraní cannot afford to take. They must attack — a significant ask against an organised Socceroos side, and made harder by the suspension of their most creative player.

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Paraguay team news

The loss of Miguel Almirón to suspension is the central selection issue Alfaro must solve. The Newcastle United forward is the squad’s top scorer with 10 international goals and the primary creative force in transitional play.

His red card against Turkey — the first in World Cup history for covering a player’s mouth during a confrontation — means Alfaro must reshape his right side. Gustavo Velazquez is the most likely midfield replacement, operating in a slightly more advanced role than he typically occupies.

Brazilian-born Mauricio, who came off the bench to score in the 4–1 opening loss to the USA, could push for a wider attacking berth. Ramon Sosa, another winger, has been managing an ankle problem and sat out the Turkey win — his involvement here remains to be confirmed.

Diego Gomez recovered from a knock sustained in the Turkey match and is expected to be available, providing Alfaro with midfield continuity. The defensive unit of Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Alderete and Alonso is unchanged, with Orlando Gill in goal.