The FIFA World Cup is an international association football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, due to World War II.

Paraguay have appeared in the finals of the World Cup on nine occasions, the first being at the very first finals in 1930, where they finished in the ninth position. Their farthest advancement in the tournament was in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals for the first time. They made a ninth World Cup appearance at the 2026 tournament.

Overall record FIFA World Cup recordYearRoundPosition* 1930 Group stage 9th 2 1 0 1 1 3 1934 Did not enter 1938 1950 Group stage 11th 2 0 1 1 2 4 1954 Did not qualify 1958 Group stage 12th 3 1 1 1 9 12 1962 Did not qualify 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 Round of 16 13th 4 1 2 1 4 6 1990 Did not qualify 1994 1998 Round of 16 14th 4 1 2 1 3 2 2002 16th 4 1 1 2 6 7 2006 Group stage 18th 3 1 0 2 2 2 2010 Quarter-finals 8th 5 1 3 1 3 2 2014 Did not qualify 2018 2022 2026 Round of 16 16th 5 1 2 2 3 6 2030Qualified as centenary co-host 2034To be determinedTotal Quarter-finals 9/23 32 8 12 12 33 44 *Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

By match World CupRoundOpponentScoreResultVenueParaguay scorers1930Group 40–3LMontevideo1–0WMontevideoL. Peña1950Group 32–2DCuritibaA. López, C. López Fretes0–2LSão Paulo1958Group 23–7LNorrköpingF. Amarilla (2), J. Romero3–2WNorrköpingJ. Agüero, C. Ré, J. Parodi3–3DEskilstunaJ. Parodi, J. Agüero, J. Romero1986Group B1–0WTolucaRomerito1–1DMexico CityRomerito2–2DTolucaR. Cabañas (2)Round of 16 0–3LMexico City1998Group D0–0DMontpellier0–0DSaint-Étienne3–1WToulouseC. Ayala, M. Benítez, J. CardozoRound of 16 0–1 LLens2002Group B2–2DBusanR. Santa Cruz, F. Arce1–3LJeonjuC. Puyol (o.g.)3–1WSeogwipoN. Cuevas (2), J. CamposRound of 16 0–1LSeogwipo2006Group B0–1LFrankfurt0–1LBerlin2–0WKaiserslauternB. Sancho (o.g.), N. Cuevas2010Group F1–1DCape TownA. Alcaraz2–0WBloemfonteinE. Vera, C. Riveros0–0DPolokwaneRound of 160–0 DPretoriaQuarter-finals0–1LJohannesburg2026Group D1–4LInglewoodMaurício1–0WSanta ClaraM. Galarza0–0DSanta Clara Round of 32 1–1 D Foxborough J. Enciso Round of 16 0–1 L Philadelphia 2030TBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBATBA

Record by opponent FIFA World Cup matches (by team)OpponentWinsDrawsLossesTotalGoals ScoredGoals Conceded010000110232010100002204003339011212100110011213010100010111010100100131100132100120100131010122012314011223100120100110002217010133

Tournament summary Paraguay competed at three World Cups by 1958, and after a long gap they re-appeared in 1986. Later, they achieved a streak of four participations: South Africa 2010 was Paraguay's fourth consecutive trip to the World Cup final tournament, having previously qualified for the final in 1998, 2002 and 2006. After a poor qualifying campaign, however, Paraguay failed to qualify for the tournament in 2014, missing out on the chance to play in a World Cup hosted on their own continent, in Brazil. Three times they survived the first round of the international football tournament, with the highlight being in 2010 where they reached the quarter-finals.

1930 FIFA World Cup

UNITED STATES: GK 1 Jimmy DouglasDF 2 Alexander WoodMF 3 Andy AuldFW 4 Bart McGheeFW 5 Bert PatenaudeMF 6 Billy GonsalvesDF 7 George MoorhouseMF 8 Jim BrownDF 9 Jimmy GallagherDF 10Raphael TraceyFW 11Tom Florie (c)Manager: Robert Millar

PARAGUAY: GK 1 Modesto DenisFW 2 Aurelio GonzálezFW 3 Delfín Benítez CáceresFW 4 Diógenes DomínguezMF 5 Eusebio DíazMF 6 Francisco AguirreDF 7 José MiraccaFW 8 Lino NessiFW 9 Luis Vargas Peña (c)DF 10Quiterio OlmedoMF 11Romildo EtcheverryManager: José Durand Laguna

Linesmen: Martin Aphesteguy (Uruguay) Anibal Tejada (Uruguay)

PARAGUAY: GK 1 Pedro BenítezFW 2 Aurelio GonzálezFW 3 Delfín Benítez CáceresMF 4 Eusebio DíazFW 5 Gerardo RomeroFW 6 Lino NessiFW 7 Luis Vargas Peña (c)DF 8 Quiterio OlmedoDF 9 Salvador FloresMF 10Santiago BenítezMF 11Tranquilino GarceteManager: José Durand Laguna

BELGIUM: GK 1 Arnold BadjouMF 2 August HellemansFW 3 Ferdinand AdamsFW 4 Gérard DelbekeDF 5 Henri De DekenFW 6 Jacques MoeschalFW 7 Jan DiddensFW 8 Louis VersypDF 9 Nic HoydonckxMF 10Pierre Braine (c)DF 11Theodore NouwensManager: Hector Goetinck

Linesmen: José Macías (Argentina) Domingo Lombardi (Uruguay)

1950 FIFA World Cup

In their return to the World Cup, Paraguay faced 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.

1958 FIFA World Cup

For the 1958 World Cup, Paraguay surprisingly 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, Juan 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.

1986 FIFA World Cup

Paraguay ended a 28-year absence from the World Cup in 1986 with a team starring Roberto Fernández in goal; Cesar Zabala, Rogelio Delgado and Juan Bautista Torales in defense; Jorge Amado Nunes and Vladimiro Schettina in midfield; midfield playmaker Romerito and strikers Roberto Cabañas, Ramón Hicks and Rolando Chilavert (older brother of José Luis Chilavert). In first round matches, Paraguay defeated Iraq (1–0, goal Romerito) and then tied Mexico (1–1, goal Romerito) and Belgium (2–2, both goals Roberto Cabañas). They reached the second round where they were beaten 3–0 by England.

PARAGUAY: GK 1 Roberto FernándezDF 2 Juan ToralesDF 3 César ZabalaDF 4 Vladimiro Schettina DF 5 Rogelio Delgado (c)MF 6 Jorge Amado NunesMF 10 Adolfino CañeteMF 8 RomeritoFW 7 Buenaventura FerreiraFW 11 Alfredo Mendoza FW 9 Roberto CabañasSubstitutions:MF 16 Jorge Guasch Manager: Cayetano Ré

IRAQ: GK 1 Raad Hammoudi Salman (c)DF 3 Khalil Mohammed AllawiDF 4 Nadhim Shaker SalimDF 5 Samir Shaker Mahmoud DF 15 Natiq Hashim AbidounDF 22 Ghanim Oraibi JassimMF 6 Ali Hussein ShihabMF 7 Haris Mohammed Hassan MF 14 Basil Gorgis Hanna FW 10 Hussein Saeed MohammedFW 8 Ahmad Radhi AmaieshSubstitutions:FW 11 Abdul-Rahim Hamed Aufi MF 19 Basim Qasim Hamdan Manager: Evaristo de Macedo

MEXICO: GK 1 Pablo LariosDF 2 Mario Trejo DF 3 Fernando QuirarteDF 14 Félix CruzDF 17 Raúl ServínMF 16 Carlos MuñozMF 10 Tomás Boy (c) MF 13 Javier AguirreFW 22 Manuel Negrete FW 15 Luis Flores FW 9 Hugo Sánchez Substitutions:MF 7 Miguel España FW 5 Francisco Javier Cruz Manager: Bora Milutinović

PARAGUAY: GK 1 Roberto FernándezDF 2 Juan Torales DF 3 César ZabalaDF 4 Vladimiro Schettina DF 5 Rogelio Delgado (c)MF 6 Jorge Amado NunesMF 10 Adolfino CañeteMF 8 RomeritoFW 7 Buenaventura FerreiraFW 11 Alfredo Mendoza FW 9 Roberto CabañasSubstitutions:MF 16 Jorge Guasch FW 20 Ramón Hicks Manager: Cayetano Ré

PARAGUAY: GK 1 Roberto FernándezDF 2 Juan ToralesDF 3 César ZabalaDF 5 Rogelio Delgado (c)MF 16 Jorge GuaschMF 6 Jorge Amado NunesMF 10 Adolfino CañeteMF 8 Romerito FW 7 Buenaventura FerreiraFW 11 Alfredo Mendoza FW 9 Roberto CabañasSubstitutions:FW 20 Ramón Hicks Manager: Cayetano Ré

BELGIUM: GK 1 Jean-Marie PfaffDF 5 Michel RenquinDF 19 Hugo BroosDF 13 Georges Grün MF 21 Stéphane DemolMF 6 Franky VercauterenMF 22 Patrick VervoortMF 8 Enzo ScifoMF 11 Jan Ceulemans (c) FW 16 Nico ClaesenFW 18 Daniel VeytSubstitutions:DF 3 Franky Van der Elst Manager: Guy Thys

ENGLAND: GK 1 Peter Shilton (c)DF 2 Gary M. StevensDF 3 Kenny SansomDF 5 Alvin Martin DF 6 Terry ButcherMF 16 Peter Reid MF 4 Glenn HoddleMF 17 Trevor StevenMF 18 Steve Hodge FW 20 Peter Beardsley FW 10 Gary LinekerSubstitutions:DF 15 Gary A. Stevens FW 9 Mark Hateley Manager: Bobby Robson

PARAGUAY: GK 1 Roberto FernándezDF 2 Juan Torales DF 3 César ZabalaDF 4 Vladimiro SchettinaDF 5 Rogelio Delgado (c)MF 6 Jorge Amado Nunes MF 10 Adolfino CañeteMF 8 RomeritoFW 7 Buenaventura FerreiraFW 11 Alfredo MendozaFW 9 Roberto CabañasSubstitutions:MF 16 Jorge Guasch Manager: Cayetano Ré

1998 FIFA World Cup

A new generation of players helped end the World Cup drought in grand fashion, as the Albirroja reached the 1998 World Cup in France by qualifying in second place in South America, behind Argentina. The first round matches were against Bulgaria (0–0), Spain (0–0), and Nigeria (3–1; goals Celso Ayala, Miguel Ángel Benítez and José Cardozo). Paraguay qualified to the second round (round of 16) to be defeated in a thrilling match against hosts and eventual World Champions France. France only scored through Laurent Blanc in the 114th minute, during the second half of overtime (making it the first golden goal scored in a World Cup). Paraguay's central defending duo (Carlos Gamarra and Celso Ayala) and goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert were selected for the all-star World Cup team.

GK 1 José Luis Chilavert (c)DF 4 Carlos GamarraDF 5 Celso AyalaFW 9 José Cardozo MF 10Roberto AcuñaDF 11Pedro SarabiaMF 13Carlos ParedesFW 15Miguel Benítez MF 16Julio Cesar EncisoMF 19Carlos Morales MF 21Jorge Campos Substitutions:DF 20Denis Caniza FW 18César Ramírez MF 7 Julio César Yegros Manager: Paulo César Carpegiani

GK 1 Zdravko ZdravkovDF 2 Radostin KishishevDF 3 Trifon Ivanov (c) DF 4 Ivaylo PetkovMF 5 Ivaylo YordanovMF 6 Zlatko YankovFW 8 Hristo Stoichkov FW 9 Luboslav Penev MF 10Krassimir BalakovMF 11Ilian Iliev MF 16Anatoli Nankov Substitutions:FW 7 Emil Kostadinov MF 18Daniel Borimirov Manager:Hristo Bonev

Assistant referees: Achmat Salie (South Africa) Hussain Ghadanfari (Kuwait) Fourth official: Nikolai Levnikov (Russia)

GK 1 Andoni Zubizarreta (c)RB 15Juan Carlos AguileraCB 5 Abelardo CB 4 Rafael AlkortaLB 12Sergi RM 17Joseba EtxeberriaCM 6 Fernando HierroCM 18Guillermo AmorLM 21Luis EnriqueCF 9 Juan Antonio Pizzi CF 10Raúl Substitutions:FW 7Fernando Morientes MF 16Albert Celades FW 19Kiko Manager:Javier Clemente

GK 1 José Luis Chilavert (c)DF 2 Francisco Arce DF 4 Carlos GamarraDF 5 Celso Ayala FW 8 Arístides Rojas MF 10Roberto AcuñaDF 11Pedro SarabiaFW 15Miguel BenítezMF 16Julio César Enciso DF 20Denis CanizaMF 21Jorge Campos Substitutions:MF 13Carlos Paredes MF 7 Julio César Yegros FW 18César Ramírez Manager: Paulo César Carpegiani

Assistant referees: Aristidis Chris Soldatos (South Africa) Owen Powell (Jamaica) Fourth official: Esse Baharmast (United States)

GK 1 Peter Rufai (c)FW 4 Nwankwo KanuDF 6 Taribo WestFW 9 Rasheed YekiniMF 11Garba LawalMF 13Tijani BabangidaMF 15Sunday Oliseh DF 16Uche OkaforDF 17Augustine Eguavoen MF 18Wilson Oruma DF 19Ben Iroha Substitutions:DF 21Godwin Okpara MF 7 Finidi George Manager: Bora Milutinović

GK 1 José Luis Chilavert (c)DF 2 Francisco ArceDF 4 Carlos GamarraDF 5 Celso AyalaFW 9 José CardozoDF 11Pedro SarabiaMF 13Carlos ParedesFW 15Miguel Benítez MF 16Julio César EncisoFW 17Hugo Brizuela DF 20Denis Caniza Substitutions:MF 7 Julio César Yegros MF 10Roberto Acuña FW 8 Aristides Rojas Manager: Paulo César Carpegiani

Assistant referees: Mohamed Al Musawi (Oman) Mikael Milsson (Sweden) Fourth official: Masayoshi Okada (Japan)

GK 16Fabien BarthezRB 15Lilian ThuramCB 5 Laurent BlancCB 8 Marcel DesaillyLB 3 Bixente LizarazuCM 7 Didier Deschamps (c)CM 17Emmanuel Petit RW 13Bernard Diomède LW 6 Youri DjorkaeffCF 20David TrezeguetCF 12Thierry Henry Substitutes:MF 11Robert Pires MF 14Alain Boghossian FW 9 Stéphane Guivarc'h Manager:Aimé Jacquet

GK 1 José Luis Chilavert (c) RB 2 Francisco Arce CB 4 Carlos GamarraCB 5 Celso AyalaLB 11Pedro SarabiaCM 10Roberto AcuñaCM 16Julio César Enciso CM 13Carlos Humberto Paredes AM 21Jorge Luis Campos AM 15Miguel Ángel Benítez CF 9 José Cardozo Substitutes:MF 7 Julio César Yegros DF 20Denis Caniza MF 8 Aristides Rojas Manager: Paulo César Carpegiani

Assistant referees: