The Paraguay national football team represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions, and are controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association. Paraguay is a member of CONMEBOL.
The team has qualified for nine FIFA World Cup competitions (1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2026), with their best performance coming in 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals. A regular participant at the Copa América, Paraguay have been crowned champions of the competition on two occasions (in 1953 and 1979). Paraguay's highest FIFA World Ranking was 8th in March 2001 and their lowest was 103rd in May 1995. Paraguay was awarded second place with Best Move of the Year in 1996 for their rise in the FIFA World Ranking.
The national team's most successful period was under the coaching of Argentine Gerardo Martino, who was awarded with the South American Coach of the Year in 2007 and took Paraguay to the quarter-finals stage of the FIFA World Cup competition for the first time in history (in 2010) and also to the final of the 2011 Copa América, where Paraguay finished as runners-up. In Paraguay's entire history at the FIFA World Cup, only Carlos Gamarra and José Luis Chilavert hold the distinction of being selected as part of the All-Star Team, for their performances in the 1998 edition. Paulo da Silva holds the most appearances for the national team with 148 matches and Roque Santa Cruz is the all-time leading goalscorer with 32 goals. Denis Caniza, who was part of the national team from 1996 to 2010, is the only player to have represented Paraguay in four consecutive FIFA World Cup competitions (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010).
Contents
History
The beginning (1900–1930)
Soon after the introduction of football in Paraguay by Williams Paats, the Liga Paraguaya de Fútbol (today Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol) was created in 1906. The first national football team was organized in 1910 when an invitation by the Argentine club Hércules of Corrientes was received to play a friendly match that ended in a 0–0 draw.
Because of the increasing number of invitations to play matches and international tournaments, the Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol decided to officially create the national team and select the striped red and white jerseys that, to this day, remain as the official colours (taken from the Paraguayan flag). In late 1919, Paraguay accepted an invitation to play the 1921 South American Championship; in order to prepare for that event, a number of friendly matches were played between 1919 and 1921. The first of those friendly matches was a 5–1 loss against Argentina, the first international match played by Paraguay. When the 1921 South American Championship began, Paraguay defeated three-time South American champions Uruguay 2–1, with this being the first match in an official competition for the Paraguayan football team. Paraguay eventually finished fourth in the tournament and became a regular participant of the tournament for the next editions.
First taste of success (1930–1970)
In 1930, Paraguay participated in the first World Cup, organized by Uruguay. In the first round, Paraguay lost to the United States 0–3, before defeating Belgium 1–0 with a goal by Luis Vargas Peña. Only one team per group advanced from the first round, and the U.S. left Paraguay behind.
After participating in the 1929, 1947 and 1949 South American Championships (where Paraguay finished in second place), Paraguay returned to the World Cup in 1950, facing Sweden and Italy in Group 3. Paraguay failed to advance to the next round after a 2–2 draw against Sweden and a 2–0 loss against Italy. Paraguay won their first South American Championship in 1953, played in Peru, after winning against Chile (3–0), Bolivia (2–1) and Brazil (2–1), and drawing Ecuador (0–0), Peru (2–2) and Uruguay (2–2). Since Paraguay and Brazil were tied in points at the end of the tournament, a final playoff match was played between them, with Paraguay winning the final 3–2.
For the 1958 World Cup, Paraguay qualified ahead of Uruguay (beating them 5–0 in the decisive game) with a team that contained a formidable attacking lineup with stars such as Juan Bautista Agüero, José Parodi, Jorge Lino Romero, Cayetano Ré and Florencio Amarilla. In their first game in Sweden, Paraguay were 3–2 up against France in a game they lost 7–3. A 3–2 win over Scotland and a 3–3 draw with Yugoslavia saw Paraguay finish third in their group.
The departure of several of their stars for European football (mainly Spain) resulted in a weakening of Paraguay's football fortunes somewhat, but they were only edged out by Mexico in the 1962 qualifiers.
More continental success (1970–1990)
With players such as Romerito, Carlos Alberto Kiese, Alicio Solalinde, Roberto Paredes, Hugo Ricardo Talavera and Eugenio Morel and manager Ranulfo Miranda, Paraguay won the 1979 Copa América after finishing first in Group C (which consisted of Uruguay and Ecuador as well) with two wins and two draws. In the semi-finals, Paraguay defeated Brazil by an aggregate score of 4–3. In the final, Paraguay defeated Chile by an aggregate score of 3–1 to claim its second continental crown.
Paraguay ended a 28-year absence from the World Cup in 1986; during their time in Mexico, the team defeated Iraq 1–0, and drew the hosts 1–1 and Belgium 2–2. They reached the second round where they were beaten 3–0 by England.
The golden generation (1998–2011)
A drought followed once again, as Paraguay failed to reach the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.
In 1992, Paraguay won the South American pre-Olympic tournament, which guaranteed a spot in the 1992 Summer Olympics football competition. In the Olympics, Paraguay finished second in its group and were eliminated by Ghana in the quarter-finals. Despite this, new players such as Carlos Gamarra, Celso Ayala, José Luis Chilavert, Francisco Arce and José Cardozo emerged, becoming part of the "golden generation" that led Paraguay to three straight World Cups and noteworthy performances in continental competitions.
Paraguay concluded the qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup by finishing second, one point below Argentina.
Coached by the Brazilian Paulo César Carpegiani, the Albirroja returned to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986. Paraguay were drawn into Group D, alongside Bulgaria, Nigeria and Spain. Paraguay drew their first two matches 0–0, against Bulgaria and Spain. Nigeria, who had already qualified for the second round after winning their first two matches, lost 3–1 to Paraguay, who finished second in the group.
Paraguay met hosts France (without Zinedine Zidane) in the round of 16 on 28 June, with a goalless 90 minutes. In the 114th minute of extra-time, Laurent Blanc scored to eliminate Paraguay with a golden goal. Defender Carlos Gamarra and goalkeeper and captain José Luís Chilavert were selected as part of the 1998 All-Star Team.
Paraguay were hosts of the 1999 Copa América, played in four cities throughout the country. Many of the 1998 World Cup players returned, to be coached by Ever Hugo Almeida. Grouped with Bolivia, Japan and Peru, the Albirroja played their first match of the competition, drawing 0–0 against Bolivia. On 2 July, Paraguay faced Japan and sealed a 4–0 victory. In Paraguay's third and last group stage fixture against Peru, Paraguay won 1–0. The Albirroja topped the group with seven points. Paraguay were drawn against Uruguay at the quarter-final stage. The match was decided via a penalty shootout, which saw Paraguay lose 5–3. Following the conclusion of the competition, striker Roque Santa Cruz was awarded with the 1999 Paraguayan Footballer of the Year award.
2011–present
Throughout the duration of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Paraguay changed coaches three times, only to end up last in qualifying. The 2015 Copa América eventually saw Paraguay reach the semi-finals, after defeating Brazil in the quarter-finals on penalties. They were eliminated by Argentina by a score of 6–1.
Paraguay finished last in their group in a special Copa América Centenario.
Paraguay qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their first since 2010. In the group stage, they lost 4–1 to hosts United States, before defeating Turkey 1–0. Paraguay advanced to the knockout stages and faced Germany in the Round of 32 at Gillette Stadium. After a 1–1 draw in regular and extra time—with Julio Enciso scoring for Paraguay and Kai Havertz evening it up for Germany—Paraguay secured a historic upset by defeating the Germans 4–3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to advance to the Round of 16.
Team image
Paraguay traditionally wears red and white shirts and blue shorts and socks.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win
Draw
Loss
Fixture
Players
Current squad
The following 26 players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Caps and goals are updated as of 4 July 2026 after the match against France.
Recent call-ups
The following players have received a call-up within the past 12 months:
Player records
As of 4 July 2026.
Players in bold are still active at international level.
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
Head-to-head record
Below is a result summary of all matches Paraguay have played against FIFA recognized teams.
As of 4 July 2026
Positive Record
Neutral Record
Negative Record
Honours
Continental
South American Championship / Copa América
Champions (2): 1953, 1979
Runners-up (6): 1922, 1929, 1947, 1949, 1963, 2011
Third place (7): 1923, 1924, 1925, 1939, 1946, 1959-I, 1983
Friendly
Copa Chevallier Boutell (2): 1925s, 1945
Copa Trompowski (1): 1950
Copa Paz del Chaco (6): 1963, 1977, 1980, 1991, 1995, 2003
Lunar New Year Cup (1): 1968
Copa Artigas (1): 1975s
Copa Félix Bogado (2): 1973, 1983
Copa Boquerón (1): 1988
Summary
Notes
s Shared titles.