Paraguay’s decision to part ways with Daniel Garnero following a disappointing Copa América campaign has proven to be a turning point in their 2026 World Cup Qualifying (WCQ) journey. Under new manager Gustavo Alfaro, La Albirroja have been unbeaten in the second half of 2024 (W3, D3), amassing more than twice as many points as they did in their first six qualifiers.
Chile’s Struggles Continue
A continuation of their recent form could see Paraguay return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Their resurgence has been fueled by impressive home performances, including a stunning 2-1 victory over Argentina and a hard-fought 1-0 win against Brazil. With nearly a full-strength squad at Alfaro’s disposal, Paraguay will look to capitalize on their momentum, though they will be without captain Gustavo Gómez and potentially key striker Antonio Sanabria, who has been nursing a knee injury.
In contrast, Chile’s form has shown no signs of improvement since their winless Copa América campaign last year. Four defeats in their last six WCQ matches (W1, D1) have left them in danger of missing their third consecutive World Cup, piling pressure on head coach Ricardo Gareca. Despite the struggles, Gareca remains optimistic, stating after a 6-1 friendly win over Panama in February that his team has the “potential” to secure crucial points.
However, history is not on Chile’s side. They have failed to win any of their last 13 away games (D4, L9), including five defeats in six away matches during this WCQ cycle, where they have been outscored 14-1. With Paraguay in strong home form, Chile will need to produce a significant turnaround to replicate their 1-0 win in Asunción from November 2021.
Key Players to Watch
- Omar Alderete (Paraguay): The defender scored in the historic win over Argentina and is known for his aggressive play, having been booked in eight of his last 20 appearances for club and country.
- Lucas Cepeda (Chile): The 22-year-old attacker has been in fine form, scoring in both of Chile’s last two games and netting a brace in his most recent club match for Colo Colo.
Hot Stat
Only one of the last seven head-to-head encounters between these two sides has seen both teams find the net, suggesting another tight affair could be on the cards.
With Paraguay on an upward trajectory and Chile in desperate need of points, this crucial clash could have major implications for the road to the 2026 World Cup.
