June 14, 2026
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said on Thursday his players had already achieved something special by ending the country's 16-year World Cup absence, but added that they are here to compete rather than simply celebrate their return to the tournament.
Paraguay face co-hosts the United States in their opening Group D match on Friday, marking the South Americans' first World Cup appearance since 2010.
"In my view they have already won," Alfaro said of his players at a pre-match news conference on the eve of the game.
"After 16 years they qualified when it seemed impossible, when there was no hope."
