Paraguay starting lineup vs Turkey confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026 clash
The White and Red are still looking to win their first 2026 World Cup game.
After losing their respective World Cup 2026 openers, Turkey and Paraguay will be eager for a win when they face off today at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Paraguay fared even worse, losing 4-1 to the USMNT in their first encounter. Manager Gustavo Alfaro described the loss as a “painful lesson” for a country that had waited 16 years to play in soccer’s biggest event again.
Paraguay have probably learned from their mistakes against the USMNT, but the individual talent discrepancy between the two teams will most likely determine the final score.
Gustavo Alfaro saw his team’s defensive framework fail against the United States on matchday one. Three goals surrendered before halftime in Los Angeles gave La Albirroja a mountain to climb. They never recovered, eventually losing 4-1.
Their reputation for defensive resilience has suffered significantly. Alfaro will need a swift and dramatic answer tonight. A win vs Turkiye would keep their knockout aspirations alive; anything less would basically end their World Cup quest.
Paraguay’s starting lineup vs Turkey
Paraguay lineup (4-4-2): Gill; Cáceres, G. Gómez, Alderete, Junior Alonso; D. Gómez, Cubas, Galarza, Almirón; Enciso, Pitta.
Substitutes: Gatito Fernández, Gastón Olveira, Gustavo Velázquez, Fabián Balbuena, José Canale, Alexandro Maidana, Ramón Sosa, Mauricio, Damián Bobadilla, Braian Ojeda, Gustavo Caballero, Antonio Sanabria, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Alex Arce, Gabriel Ávalos
Alfaro will be without Gustavo Caballero for the second straight encounter. The winger is still recovering from a muscle ailment that kept him out of the USMNT match.
Ramón Sosa will also sit out Friday’s game. The 26-year-old is suffering from ankle pain following a limited appearance against the Stars and Stripes.
Júnior Alonso has replaced Alexandro Maidana, who made his World Cup debut as a left-back in the last match.
Where will the game be played?
Levi’s Stadium, California, United States.
Where do Paraguay stand in the table?
They are at the bottom of the Group D table.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.