The Paraguayan national football team is facing international friendlies against Singapore and Japan, with both matches taking place at the Singapore National Stadium in Kallang. The first encounter will be against Singapore on Friday, 13 November, kicking off at 09:00 Paraguayan time. The Albirroja will then face Japan on Tuesday, 17 November, at 10:10 PYT.
The fixtures mark the third and fourth matches of the second cycle under head coach Gustavo Alfaro, following victories against Bolivia and Colombia in the previous FIFA window.
Singpore: An unfamilar opponent
Paraguay, currently ranked 33rd in the FIFA World Ranking, have never previously faced Singapore. The Asian side, ranked 149th, have produced mixed results in recent regional competition, suffering a heavy 6-0 defeat to Malaysia in the FIFA ASEAN Cup after a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh and a 2-0 loss to Indonesia.
“The Lions”, coached by Singaporean Gavin Lee, remain a side more accustomed to Southeast Asian competition than friendlies against South American opposition. The friendly with Paraguay therefore offers them a rare opportunity to test themselves against a 2026 World Cup quarter-finalist.
Japan: Arriving in strong form
Japan sit in 17th place in the latest FIFA ranking and arrive in strong form. In October they defeated New Zealand 2-1 to win the Kirin Cup. At the 2026 World Cup they finished second in their group behind The Netherlands, before exiting in the round of 32 with a 2-1 defeat to Brazil.
Paraguay’s most recent meeting with Japan ended in a 2-2 draw on 10 October 2025 in Suita. Miguel Almirón scored for Paraguay in the 21st minute, Koki Ogawa equalised for Japan five minutes later, Diego Gómez restored Paraguay’s lead, but substitute Ayase Ueda headed a late equaliser in stoppage time.
A heroic chapter from 2010
The last time Paraguay defeated Japan remains one of the most memorable nights in Albirroja history. In the 2010 World Cup round of 16 in South Africa, the sides played out a goalless draw through 120 minutes before Paraguay won 5-3 on penalties. It was the first time the South Americans had reached a World Cup quarter-final.
Though Spain proved too strong, the heroic, hard-fought victory over Japan in the round of 16 remains a memory forever carved into the heart of a football-mad nation. Earlier this year, The Asunción Times visited former Paraguay midfielder Edgar Barreto, then 41, to relive those unforgettable moments.
