Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Paraguay returns to the World Cup after 16 years, advancing as Group D runners-up to face Group E winners Germany in the Round of 32. Paraguay's best-ever result was the 2010 South Africa quarterfinals, and under Gustavo Alfaro they secured automatic qualification by finishing 6th in CONMEBOL qualifying. Germany looks to move past consecutive group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, with Julian Nagelsmann rebuilding from Euro 2024's quarterfinal run.
- The midfield battle shapes up as key with Germany's 4-2-3-1 against Paraguay's 4-1-4-1. Germany's double pivot of 22-year-old Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern Munich) and 25-year-old Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund) will contest control against Paraguay's anchor Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps, formerly Boca Juniors with two league titles). Paraguay's number 10 Miguel Almirón (ex-Newcastle, 223 Premier League appearances over 6 seasons) will lead the press and counter-attacking transitions.
- Germany's attack features 193cm Kai Havertz (Arsenal, 51 caps) operating as a false nine, with 23-year-old Florian Wirtz (Liverpool, instrumental in Leverkusen's unbeaten Bundesliga title) providing creativity from the number 10 position. On the right wing, 30-year-old Leroy Sané (Galatasaray, formerly Manchester City and Bayern) brings explosive pace to spearhead Nagelsmann's attacking system.
- Paraguay's defensive core centers on captain Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras, ex-AC Milan, 89 caps) and 33-year-old Junior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro, 70 caps) as the veteran center-back pairing. Germany counters with Real Madrid's Antonio Rüdiger (33, 82 caps) and Bayern's Jonathan Tah (30, 195cm) as a physical CB combination, setting up aerial duels with Paraguay's Gabriel Ávalos (Independiente, 35, 190cm).
- Germany's goal is protected by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer in his fifth World Cup, reclaiming the starting position after his international return. The record appearance holder brings championship experience from 2010 and 2014 victories plus 2018 and 2022 campaigns. Paraguay starts 26-year-old Orlando Gil (San Lorenzo, 198cm), who debuted against Peru in September 2025 and faces his first World Cup test.
- From the bench, Germany can deploy 23-year-old Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich, 2022 World Cup veteran) whose dribbling through tight spaces and final passes can change the match. Paraguay also has quality depth with 22-year-old Julio Enciso (Strasbourg, scorer of 2022-23 Premier League Goal of the Season) and 30-year-old Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese, 130 games and 30 goals at Torino), making late-game substitutions crucial.
- Germany captain Joshua Kimmich (Bayern, 31) operates at right-back in Nagelsmann's system, playing his third World Cup after 2018 and 2022. He faces Paraguay's 22-year-old Julio Enciso (Strasbourg, 31 caps, 4 goals) on the left wing, who rose from Libertad's youngest-ever debutant and threatens Germany's right flank with his powerful left foot.