On the eve of their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup after a 16-year absence, the Paraguayan national team will play its final preparatory match against Nicaragua this Friday, 5 June, at Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción (kick-off at 19:15). Coach Gustavo Alfaro’s squad, fresh from the recent announcement of its 26-man World Cup roster, will take the field in a send-off friendly that doubles as a farewell to home fans before traveling to the United States.
With their Group D opener against the host nation USA just seven days later in Los Angeles on 12 June, this match represents the last opportunity for Paraguay to fine-tune tactics, build confidence, and generate momentum ahead of a group featuring the United States, Türkiye, and Australia.
The Albirroja’s 2026 campaign marks their first appearance at football’s biggest stage since 2010, turning Friday’s game against Nicaragua into an emotional launchpad for a historic comeback.
Full squad together in Ypané
The team convened its full 26-man squad for the first time in the second week of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Over the last few days, all cited players have been present and actively training at the national High-Performance Sports Centre in Ypané.
Under the direction of Alfaro, the assembly of the entire group allowed the coaching staff to implement comprehensive tactical and physical training programmes. Consequently, the focus has been squarely on building cohesion and refining the team’s strategy ahead of the World Cup.
A structured training regimen
The training sessions were held at the state-of-the-art High Performance Sports Centre “Esc. Óscar Harrison” (CARDE), the dedicated facility for Paraguay’s national teams. Day’s activities began with a structured functional circuit inside the gymnasium. After, the squad moved onto the pitch for a period of physical-technical activation, and tactical drills in the main part of the session.
With the preparatory phases complete, the team then engaged in extensive tactical work. Coach Alfaro led drills focused on both collective team shape and individual player responsibilities. This period of the training camp allowed Alfaro and his staff to make necessary adjustments and fine-tune the team’s approach. They have been working on consolidating a clear footballing philosophy, which they hope will guide the team through the challenges of the World Cup.
Bye bye “Tacuara”
Óscar “Tacuara” Cardozo is receiving an official homage from the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) during the match with Nicaragua. APF president Robert Harrison confirmed this emotional recognition before the team’s departure for the World Cup. Expect a pre-match or halftime ceremony honouring Cardozo’s contributions as one of Paraguay’s all-time great strikers.
“Tacuara” retired from professional football in mid-April 2026, after a legendary career. He earned 58 caps and 12 goals for Paraguay, including key moments like the decisive penalty in the 2010 World Cup round of 16.
Over 4,000 police officers
During a press conference led by the commander of the National Police, Commissioner General César Silguero, authorities detailed that the stadium gates will be opened from 16:00, while the security perimeters will begin operating from 13:00. The plan includes the deployment of more than 4,000 police officers, as well as patrol cars, motorcycles and air support.
The operation will include three security rings around the stadium, access controls, verification of tickets and identity documents, as well as preventive searches to prevent the entry of prohibited items. Authorities reported that a large gathering of people is expected along the Paraguayan team’s route to the stadium, especially in the Mercado 4 area, where the presence of between 20,000 and 30,000 fans is estimated.
The National Police recommended that fans arrive at the stadium early, bring their identity card and corresponding ticket, either in physical or digital format.
