The Paraguayan Football Association (PFA) has revealed its final team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
This marks the first selection by the new coach, Daniel Garnero. The team has 28 players, including 20 from foreign leagues and eight from Paraguay’s own league.
Key players like defenders Alberto Espínola and Santiago Arzamendia are back. So are midfielder Gastón Giménez and forwards Antonio Sanabria and Adam Bareiro.
Next, Paraguay will play former world champion Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 12. After that, they’ll host Bolivia in Asunción on October 17.
The goalkeepers are Carlos Coronel from New York Red Bulls, Santiago Rojas from Tigre, and Juan Espínola from Olimpia.
Then, we have defenders like Robert Rojas from Tigre and Alberto Espínola from Colón.
Omar Alderete from Getafe and Fabián Balbuena from Dynamo Moscow also make the list.
Continuing with midfielders, we see Matías Galarza from Talleres and Richard Sánchez from Club América.
Additionally, Mathías Villasanti from Gremio and Gastón Giménez from Chicago Fire are in.
Finally, the forwards include Ramón Sosa from Talleres and Miguel Almirón from Newcastle.
Also, Antonio Sanabria from Torino and Alejandro Romero Gamarra from Al-Ain complete the roster.
Background Paraguay’s Squad for Qualifiers
The inclusion of eight players from Paraguay’s domestic league indicates a strong faith in home-grown talent.
This could uplift the local leagues and inspire younger athletes. Globally, most players come from prestigious foreign leagues, enhancing the team’s international experience.
Comparatively, Argentina’s squad boasts more players from Europe’s top leagues, indicating a steeper competition.
However, Paraguay’s diversified lineup could be an X-factor, drawing from various leagues.
Bolivia, on the other hand, mainly relies on its domestic league players, which might put them at a disadvantage against a well-rounded Paraguay team.
Performance-wise, Paraguay has been a resilient side but has room to improve.
A good performance in these qualifiers could be a significant morale boost, not just for the team but also for football in Paraguay as a whole.
Key Facts
— Deep Dive
— For the complete picture, read our in-depth guide: Paraguay: Washington's Most Valued Ally in Latin America
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This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief