Paraguay’s Coach Exudes Confidence Ahead of World Cup Clash with USA

Gustavo Alfaro, the head coach of the Paraguay national team, expressed strong confidence in his squad’s ability to start the 2026 World Cup on a high note as they prepare for their much-anticipated match against the United States in the group stage.

This marks Paraguay’s return to the World Cup finals after a 16-year absence, with their opening match set against the host nation in Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey.

During a pre-match press conference, Alfaro noted that his players are in excellent spirits heading into the opening game. He acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge ahead but emphasized their readiness to compete.

The Argentine coach highlighted that many members of the Paraguayan squad possess significant international experience, which instills confidence as they face any opponent. He reiterated his respect for the U.S. team and its coaching staff but maintained that his team is determined to achieve a positive result.

Alfaro also addressed the health status of star player Julio Enciso, who sustained an injury during Paraguay’s last friendly match before the tournament. He indicated that Enciso has made good progress in his recovery.

The medical staff is closely monitoring Enciso’s condition, with optimism surrounding his potential participation; however, Alfaro stressed the importance of caution and not rushing any decisions until they are certain of his full readiness.

Regarding the lineup for the upcoming match, Alfaro opted to keep his cards close to his chest about which players will start, stating that he has largely defined his team but is still fine-tuning some final details before making an official announcement.

He added that the players will be among the first to learn about his tactical choices, explaining that he prefers to shield them from early pressure and allow them to focus solely on final preparations for the match.

On offensive strategies, Alfaro mentioned having multiple options available should Enciso be unavailable. He praised Mauricio and Gustavo Caballero, along with Ramon Sosa, who has shown impressive form recently.

The coach affirmed that having a variety of options in attack provides him with greater flexibility during matches and allows him to implement different tactical ideas based on each game’s needs.

Alfaro concluded by stating that he continues to explore all possible tactical scenarios, noting that testing various strikers during recent preparations aims to find the optimal attacking formula for competitive success in the tournament.