Our correspondent reports from the ground: Paraguay will open Group D at the World Cup this Friday against the United States, one of the tournament's co-hosts. It marks Paraguay's return to the world championship stage for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa—a full 16 years later—and for Paraguayan fans, the emotion of this moment alone already carries as much weight as the result after 90 minutes.
Head coach Alfaro was blunt at his pre-match news conference: when qualification had once seemed all but hopeless, the team fought their way in, and in his view, simply making it back to the World Cup is already a victory. He also said the bond between the squad and the supporters is warming again, and Paraguay's traditional football identity is being rediscovered. Then he shifted tone, stressing the team are not here just to show up: "We didn't come only to take part—we came to compete."
If you plan to follow this opener closely, three factors deserve your attention first. One, the balance of strength and home advantage: the United States are ranked 16th in the current FIFA standings, down one place from the previous update; Paraguay sit 40th with 1,503.50 points, unchanged in position. With home support behind them, the U.S. will press higher and faster. Two, tactical matchups: Alfaro said plainly that the American side have several players plying their trade in Europe's top leagues, with set-piece threat a particular standout, and Paraguay must bring full focus and defensive discipline. Three, the injury situation: Strasbourg winger Julio Enciso picked up an injury shortly before the match; his recovery trend has been positive and his training has looked steady, but he still needs a final pre-match assessment—if he clears the fitness test, he could start, and the whole squad and the nation are waiting on him.
From Paraguay’s objective data in this tournament build-up, the side have shown a classic low-possession, counter-attacking profile: in one group-stage match they had 38% possession, seven shots with three on target, and in another their share of the ball fell as low as 23%. That suggests they are unlikely to go toe-to-toe with the United States in midfield, and are more likely to lean on quick transitions, set pieces and wide attacks.
On the mental side, Alfaro has also issued a calming message: “We’ve waited 16 years—one more day won’t hurt.” He has asked his players to stay composed before kick-off. For the United States, Pochettino’s home side likewise need to bring intensity on their own ground—this is the opening Group D fixture, and neither team can afford to slip up.
