Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup
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 | ||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
1930 | Group stage | 9th | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
1934 | Did not enter | |||||||
1938 | ||||||||
1950 | Group stage | 11th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
1954 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1958 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 12 |
1962 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1966 | ||||||||
1970 | ||||||||
1974 | ||||||||
1978 | ||||||||
1982 | ||||||||
1986 | Round of 16 | 13th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
1990 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1994 | ||||||||
1998 | Round of 16 | 14th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
2002 | 16th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | |
2006 | Group stage | 18th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
2010 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
2014 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2018 | ||||||||
2022 | ||||||||
2026 | To be determined | |||||||
2030 | Qualified as centenary co-host | |||||||
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]
Record by opponent[edit]
FIFA World Cup matches (by team) | ||||||
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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]
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 |
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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 |
United States | 3–0 | Paraguay |
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Patenaude 10', 15', 50' | Report |
Paraguay | 1–0 | Belgium |
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Vargas Peña 40' | Report |
United States | 3–0 | Paraguay |
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Patenaude 10', 15', 50'[1] | Report |
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Linesmen:
Martin Aphesteguy (Uruguay)
Anibal Tejada (Uruguay)
Paraguay | 1–0 | Belgium |
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Vargas Peña 40'[2] | Report |
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Linesmen:
José Macías (Argentina)
Domingo Lombardi (Uruguay)
1950 FIFA World Cup[edit]
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 |
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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 |
Italy | 2 – 0 | Paraguay |
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Carapellese 12' Pandolfini 62' | Report |
1958 FIFA World Cup[edit]
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 |
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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 |
France | 7–3 | Paraguay |
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Fontaine 24 ', 30 ', 67' Piantoni 52' Wisnieski 61' Kopa 70' Vincent 83' | Report | Amarilla 20 ', 44' (pen.) Romero 50' |
Paraguay | 3–3 | Yugoslavia |
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Parodi 20' Agüero 52' Romero 80' | Report | Ognjanović 18' Veselinović 21' Rajkov 73' |
1986 FIFA World Cup[edit]
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 |
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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 |
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1998 FIFA World Cup[edit]
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 |
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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 |
Paraguay | Bulgaria
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Assistant referees:
Achmat Salie (South Africa)
Hussain Ghadanfari (Kuwait)
Fourth official:
Nikolai Levnikov (Russia)
Spain | Paraguay
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Assistant referees:
Aristidis Chris Soldatos (South Africa)
Owen Powell (Jamaica)
Fourth official:
Esse Baharmast (United States)
Nigeria | Paraguay
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Assistant referees:
Mohamed Al Musawi (Oman)
Mikael Milsson (Sweden)
Fourth official:
Masayoshi Okada (Japan)
France | Paraguay
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Assistant referees:
Nimal Wickeramatunge (Sri Lanka)
Lencie Fred (Vanuatu)
Fourth official:
Esse Baharmast (United States)
2002 FIFA World Cup[edit]
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 |
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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 |
All times local (UTC+9)
Paraguay | 2–2 | South Africa |
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Santa Cruz 39' Arce 55' | Report | Mokoena 63' Fortune 90+1' (pen.) |
Paraguay | South Africa
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Man of the Match:
Francisco Arce (Paraguay)
Assistant referees:
Igor Šramka (Slovakia)
Curtis Charles (Antigua and Barbuda)
Fourth official:
Hugh Dallas (Scotland)
Spain | Paraguay
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Man of the Match:
Fernando Morientes (Spain)
Assistant referees:
Wagih Farag (Egypt)
Brighton Mudzamiri (Zimbabwe)
Fourth official:
Mohamed Guezzaz (Morocco)
Slovenia | Paraguay
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Man of the Match:
Nelson Cuevas (Paraguay)
Assistant referees:
Leif Lindberg (Sweden)
Visva Krishnan (Singapore)
Fourth official:
Kim Young-joo (South Korea)
Germany | Paraguay
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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]
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 |
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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 |
All times local (CEST/UTC+2)
England | Paraguay
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Man of the Match:
Frank Lampard (England)