Paraguay

🌍 World Cup Story

Paraguay has punched far above its weight in World Cup history for such a small nation. They appeared at nine tournaments, with their peak in 2010 in South Africa — where they reached the quarterfinals for the first time, defeating Japan on penalties before losing to eventual champions Spain. Their trademark has always been defensive solidity and set-piece threat. In 1998 they made the last 16; in 2002, the last 16 again. They missed 2014 and 2018, and failed to qualify for 2022 on the final day in heartbreaking fashion. Now led by Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United), they return with a hardened squad determined to restore Paraguay's reputation as CONMEBOL's great dark horse.