Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro and captain Gustavo Gómez addressed the media Monday ahead of their round-of-16 match against Germany [1, 2].
This clash represents a critical knockout-stage hurdle for Paraguay as they attempt to advance deeper into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Facing a traditional powerhouse like Germany requires a tactical shift from their group-stage performance to avoid elimination.
During the press conference, Gómez emphasized the mental and physical intensity his team intends to bring to the pitch. The captain focused on the necessity of a high-effort performance to disrupt the German side. "We have a fight on their hands," Gómez said [2].
Paraguay enters the match with a mixed record from the group stage. The team secured a 1-0 win over Turkey [2] and managed to keep two clean sheets during that opening phase [2]. However, the squad also suffered a significant 4-1 loss to the U.S. [2].
Coach Gustavo Alfaro used the briefing to discuss tactics and prepare the squad for the pressure of the last-32 stage [1, 2]. Alfaro and Gómez focused on the team's resilience, and their ability to compete with elite opponents despite the previous heavy defeat in the group stage.
The match is scheduled for June 29, 2026 [1]. Both the coaching staff and the captain said that the team is focused on a defensive solidity that mirrors their successful results against Turkey, while aiming to improve the offensive cohesion that failed during the match against the U.S.
“"We have a fight on their hands."”
Paraguay's transition to the knockout stage highlights a volatile performance trend; while they possess the defensive capability to shut out opponents, their 4-1 loss to the U.S. exposes a vulnerability to high-pressure attacks. Their success against Germany will likely depend on whether they can maintain the disciplined defensive structure seen in their victory over Turkey while resisting the offensive surge typical of the German national team.
