The World Cup 2026 Final FIFA Draw is now complete. Paraguay is in Group D with The United States, Australia, and the winner of Play-Off C; one of Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo. On 31 March 2026, we will know which of these four is the strongest team, and will complete the group.
The event on Friday 5 December 2025, was a massive spectacle in Washington D.C. The ceremony officially launched the journey for Paraguay. Along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the President of the United States Donald Trump, President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum, and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney were present at the FIFA Draw ceremony.
FIFA Draw: A global entertainment show
The FIFA Draw ceremony was a world-class production that took place at the Kennedy Center. Supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart co-hosted the spectacle. The entertainment was diverse. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed live, and pop stars Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger also sang. The iconic Village People delivered the closing act.
Football legends and U.S. sports icons assisted. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand conducted the FIFA Draw. He was joined by former American football star Tom Brady, basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal, baseball great Aaron Judge, and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. These stars power ensured maximum global attention. Hosting Presidents and Prime Minister also assisted the draw.
Paraguay’s challenging group D
The new World Cup features 48 teams, dived into now twelve groups of four. The group stage results are crucial: The top two teams advance directly, and the eighth-best third-placed teams also qualify to the Round of 32.
Paraguay was drawn from Pot 3. After the FIFA Draw, La Albirroja will compete in Group D with The United States, Australia, and one of Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo. While there is no direct rivalry between Paraguay and the teams in this group, there is unfinished business: Paraguay played a friendly in November 2025 against the United States in Chester, Pennsylvania. The U.S. won 2-1, with the game finishing in a massive brawl.
The first game for Paraguay is against the Americans in Inglewood, California, on 12 June 2026. Paraguay will play against Play-Off C winner on 19 June, and against Australia on 25 June, also in California.
Tournament dates
The FIFA Draw has set up the biggest World Cup ever: A total of 104 matches will be played. The entire competition spans over a month. The tournament itself runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026, and the games will be hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.
The tournament kicks off on Thursday, 11 June in Mexico City. The final match will be held on Sunday, 19 July in East Rutherford, New Jersey in the U.S. With their opponents confirmed, the Paraguayan team now has a clear road map. The training and planning for June 2026 begin immediately.
Read more: This Is The Opta Supercomputer’s Pre-Draw Projection For Paraguay At The 2026 World Cup.
