The Paraguay team, known as the "Guaraníes", was one of the 13 teams in the inaugural World Cup in 1930. They have appeared at the World Cup eight times, the last in 2010. Paraguay has also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will make it the ninth time the country will be playing at the World Cup.

In their first world Cup in 1930, one victory and one defeat was not enough to qualify for the semi-finals. In 1950 and 1958, Paraguay failed to progress from the qualifying group. Their best performances have been reaching the second round in 1986, 1998 and 2002, and reaching the Quarter-finals in 2010.

1930

Paraguay didn't make out of Group 4 at the 1930 FIFA World Cup.

1950

Paraguay didn't make it out of Group 3 at the 1950 FIFA World Cup. 

1958

Paraguay finished third in Group 2 and did not qualify to the next stage of the 1958 FIFA World Cup.

1986

Paraguay finished second in Group B with 5 points and progressed to the next stage of the 1986 FIFA World Cup. However, the team lost 0-3 to England in the Round of 16 of the competition.

1998

Paraguay qualified out of Group D at the 1998 FIFA World Cup with 5 points. They lost 0-1 to France in the Round of 16 of the competition.

2002

Paraguay made it out Group B at the 2002 FIFA World Cup with 4 points. They lost 0-1 to Germany in the Round of 16.

2006

Paraguay did not make it out of Group B at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

2010

Paraguay finished top of Group F at the 2010 FIFA World Cup with 5 points. The team won Japan by penalty shoot-out in the Round of 16 of the competition. However, the Los Guaraníes lost 0-1 to Spain in the Quarter-finals of the competition.

2026

Paraguay has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team is in Group D, alonside USA, Australia, and Turkey.

Trivia

  • In 1998, a Paraguay team featuring goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert sent shockwaves through the tournament. Their unbeaten run was eventually ended by a golden goal in the second round defeat to eventual winners France. The second round was again the end of Paraguay's campaign again in 2002.
  • Paraguayan coach Cayetano Re was sent off during a First Round match against Belgium on 11 June, 1986 because he was standing too close to the field, becoming the first coach to be sent off in World Cup finals.