Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup

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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.

The tournament consists of two parts, the qualification phase and the final phase (officially called the World Cup Finals). The qualification phase, which currently take place over the three years preceding the Finals, is used to determine which teams qualify for the Finals. The current format of the Finals involves 32 teams competing for the title, at venues within the host nation (or nations) over a period of about a month. The World Cup Finals is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 tournament final.

Paraguay have appeared in the finals of the World Cup on eight occasions, the first being at the very first finals in 1930, where they finished in 9th position. Their last participation in the tournament was in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals for the first time.

Overall record[edit]

FIFA World Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Group stage 9th 2 1 0 1 1 3
Italy 1934 Did not enter
France 1938
Brazil 1950 Group stage 11th 2 0 1 1 2 4
Switzerland 1954 Did not qualify
Sweden 1958 Group stage 12th 3 1 1 1 9 12
Chile 1962 Did not qualify
England 1966
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974
Argentina 1978
Spain 1982
Mexico 1986 Round of 16 13th 4 1 2 1 4 6
Italy 1990 Did not qualify
United States 1994
France 1998 Round of 16 14th 4 1 2 1 3 2
South Korea Japan 2002 16th 4 1 1 2 6 7
Germany 2006 Group stage 18th 3 1 0 2 2 2
South Africa 2010 Quarter-finals 8th 5 1 3 1 3 2
Brazil 2014 Did not qualify
Russia 2018
Qatar 2022
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 Qualified as centenary co-host
Saudi Arabia 2034 To be determined
Total Quarter-finals 9/25 27 7 10 10 30 38
*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

By match[edit]

World Cup Round Opponent Score Result Venue Scorers
1930 Group 4  United States 0–3 L Montevideo —
 Belgium 1–0 W Montevideo L. Peña
1950 Group 3  Sweden 2–2 D Curitiba A. López, C. López Fretes
 Italy 0–2 L São Paulo —
1958 Group 2  France 3–7 L Norrköping F. Amarilla (2), J. Romero
 Scotland 3–2 W Norrköping J. Agüero, C. Ré, J. Parodi
 Yugoslavia 3–3 D Eskilstuna J. Parodi, J. Agüero, J. Romero
1986 Group B  Iraq 1–0 W Toluca Romerito
 Mexico 1–1 D Mexico City Romerito
 Belgium 2–2 D Toluca R. Cabañas (2)
Round of 16  England 0–3 L Mexico City —
1998 Group D  Bulgaria 0–0 D Montpellier —
 Spain 0–0 D Saint-Étienne —
 Nigeria 3–1 W Toulouse C. Ayala, M. Benítez, J. Cardozo
Round of 16  France 0–1 (a.e.t.) L Lens —
2002 Group B  South Africa 2–2 D Busan R. Santa Cruz, F. Arce
 Spain 1–3 L Jeonju C. Puyol (o.g.)
 Slovenia 3–1 W Seogwipo N. Cuevas (2), J. Campos
Round of 16  Germany 0–1 L Seogwipo —
2006 Group B  England 0–1 L Frankfurt —
 Sweden 0–1 L Berlin —
 Trinidad and Tobago 2–0 W Kaiserslautern B. Sancho (o.g.), N. Cuevas
2010 Group F  Italy 1–1 D Cape Town A. Alcaraz
 Slovakia 2–0 W Bloemfontein E. Vera, C. Riveros
 New Zealand 0–0 D Polokwane —
Round of 16  Japan 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 pen.)		 D Pretoria —
Quarter-finals  Spain 0–1 L Johannesburg —

Record by opponent[edit]

FIFA World Cup matches (by team)
Opponent Wins Draws Losses Total Goals Scored Goals Conceded
 Belgium 1 1 0 2 3 2
 Bulgaria 0 1 0 1 0 0
 England 0 0 2 2 0 4
 France 0 0 2 2 3 8
 Germany 0 0 1 1 0 1
 Iraq 1 0 0 1 1 0
 Italy 0 1 1 2 1 3
 Japan 0 1 0 1 0 0
 Mexico 0 1 0 1 1 1
 New Zealand 0 1 0 1 0 0
 Nigeria 1 0 0 1 3 1
 Scotland 1 0 0 1 3 2
 Slovakia 1 0 0 1 2 0
 Slovenia 1 0 0 1 3 1
 South Africa 0 1 0 1 2 2
 Spain 0 1 2 3 1 4
 Sweden 0 1 1 2 2 3
 Trinidad and Tobago 1 0 0 1 2 0
 United States 0 0 1 1 0 3
 Yugoslavia 0 1 0 1 3 3

The results[edit]

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[edit]

Main article: 1930 FIFA World Cup

In the first round, Paraguay debuted and lost to the United States (0–3), to then defeat Belgium (1–0) with a goal by Luis Vargas Peña. Only one team was to advance from the group stage, and the U.S. left Paraguay behind.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  United States 2 2 0 0 6 0 +6 4 Advance to the knockout stage
2  Paraguay 2 1 0 1 1 3 −2 2
3  Belgium 2 0 0 2 0 4 −4 0
Source: ESPN
United States 3–0 Belgium
McGhee 23'
Florie 45'
Patenaude 69'		 Report
Attendance: 18,346
United States 3–0 Paraguay
Patenaude 10', 15', 50' Report
Attendance: 18,306
Paraguay 1–0 Belgium
Vargas Peña 40' Report
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
Attendance: 12,000
United States 3–0 Paraguay
Patenaude 10', 15', 50'[1] Report
Attendance: 800

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

Paraguay 1–0 Belgium
Vargas Peña 40'[2] Report
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo
Attendance: 900

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

1950 FIFA World Cup[edit]

Main article: 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.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Sweden 2 1 1 0 5 4 +1 3 Advance to final round
2  Italy 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 2
3  Paraguay 2 0 1 1 2 4 −2 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Sweden 2 – 2 Paraguay
Sundqvist 17'
Palmér 26'		 Report López 35'
López Fretes 74'
Attendance: 8,000
Italy 2 – 0 Paraguay
Carapellese 12'
Pandolfini 62'		 Report
Attendance: 26,000

1958 FIFA World Cup[edit]

Main article: 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.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Qualification
1  France 3 2 0 1 11 7 1.571 4 Advance to knockout stage
2  Yugoslavia 3 1 2 0 7 6 1.167 4
3  Paraguay 3 1 1 1 9 12 0.750 3
4  Scotland 3 0 1 2 4 6 0.667 1
Source: FIFA
France 7–3 Paraguay
Fontaine 24 ', 30 ', 67'
Piantoni 52'
Wisnieski 61'
Kopa 70'
Vincent 83'		 Report Amarilla 20 ', 44' (pen.)
Romero 50'
Attendance: 16,500
Referee: Gardeazabal (Spain)
Paraguay 3–2 Scotland
Agüero 4'
Ré 45'
Parodi 73'		 Report Mudie 24'
Collins 74'
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Orlandini (Italy)
Paraguay 3–3 Yugoslavia
Parodi 20'
Agüero 52'
Romero 80'		 Report Ognjanović 18'
Veselinović 21'
Rajkov 73'
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Macko (Czechoslovakia)

1986 FIFA World Cup[edit]

Main article: 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 Julio César Romero 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.[3]

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Mexico (H) 3 2 1 0 4 2 +2 5 Advance to knockout stage
2  Paraguay 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 4
3  Belgium 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 3
4  Iraq 3 0 0 3 1 4 −3 0
Source: FIFA
(H) Hosts
Paraguay 1–0 Iraq
Romero 35' Report
Attendance: 24,000
Mexico 1–1 Paraguay
Flores 3' Report Romero 85'
Attendance: 114,600
Paraguay 2–2 Belgium
Cabañas 50', 76' Report Vercauteren 30'
Veyt 59'
Attendance: 16,000
England 3 – 0 Paraguay
Lineker 31', 73'
Beardsley 56'		 Report
Attendance: 98,728

1998 FIFA World Cup[edit]

Main article: 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.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Nigeria 3 2 0 1 5 5 0 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Paraguay 3 1 2 0 3 1 +2 5
3  Spain 3 1 1 1 8 4 +4 4
4  Bulgaria 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 1
Source: FIFA
Paraguay 0–0 Bulgaria
Report
Attendance: 27,650

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

Spain 0–0 Paraguay
Report
Attendance: 30,600

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

Nigeria 1–3 Paraguay
Oruma 10' Report Ayala 1'
Benítez 58'
Cardozo 86'
Attendance: 33,500

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

France 1 – 0
(a.e.t.)		 Paraguay
Blanc gold-colored soccer ball 113' Report
Attendance: 38,100

Assistant referees:
Nimal Wickeramatunge (Sri Lanka)
Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)
Fourth official:
Esse Baharmast (United States)

2002 FIFA World Cup[edit]

Main article: 2002 FIFA World Cup

Paraguay returned to the world's greatest stage once more in the 2002 World Cup. In their first match, Paraguay tied South Africa 2–2 (goals: Roque Santa Cruz and Francisco Arce). Paraguay lost to Spain in the second game (1–3) and finally defeated Slovenia (3–1; goals Nelson Cuevas, twice, and Jorge Luis Campos) to qualify for the second round. Germany ended Paraguay's dreams in the World Cup with an 88-minute goal.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Spain 3 3 0 0 9 4 +5 9 Advance to knockout stage
2  Paraguay 3 1 1 1 6 6 0 4
3  South Africa 3 1 1 1 5 5 0 4
4  Slovenia 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5 0
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

All times local (UTC+9)

Paraguay 2–2 South Africa
Santa Cruz 39'
Arce 55'		 Report Mokoena 63'
Fortune 90+1' (pen.)
Attendance: 25,186

Man of the Match:
Francisco Arce (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Igor Šramka (Slovakia)
Curtis Charles (Antigua and Barbuda)
Fourth official:
Hugh Dallas (Scotland)

Spain 3–1 Paraguay
Morientes 53', 69'
Hierro 83' (pen.)		 Report Puyol 10' (o.g.)
Attendance: 24,000

Man of the Match:
Fernando Morientes (Spain)

Assistant referees:
Wagih Farag (Egypt)
Brighton Mudzamiri (Zimbabwe)
Fourth official:
Mohamed Guezzaz (Morocco)

Slovenia 1–3 Paraguay
Ačimovič 45+1' Report Cuevas 65', 84'
Campos 73'
Attendance: 30,176
Referee: Felipe Ramos (Mexico)

Man of the Match:
Nelson Cuevas (Paraguay)

Assistant referees:
Leif Lindberg (Sweden)
Visva Krishnan (Singapore)
Fourth official:
Kim Young-joo (South Korea)

Germany 1–0 Paraguay
Neuville 88' Report
Attendance: 25,176

Man of the Match:
Jens Jeremies (Germany)

Assistant referees:
Curtis Charles (Antigua and Barbuda)
Dramane Dante (Mali)
Fourth official:
Hugh Dallas (Scotland)

2006 FIFA World Cup[edit]

Main article: 2006 FIFA World Cup

In 2006, Paraguay qualified for its third World Cup in a row. This time, two early defeats against England and Sweden (both 0–1) sent the team home early. The only consolation was defeating Trinidad and Tobago during the last and final group game by 2–0.

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  England 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Sweden 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
3  Paraguay 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 3
4  Trinidad and Tobago 3 0 1 2 0 4 −4 1
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tie-breaking criteria

All times local (CEST/UTC+2)

England 1–0 Paraguay
Gamarra 3' (o.g.) Report
Attendance: 48,000
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Man of the Match:
Frank Lampard (England)

Assistant referees:
José Luis Camargo (Mexico)
Leonel Leal (Costa Rica)
Fourth official:
Coffi Codjia (