Paraguay starts their 2026 World Cup in the Los Angeles area on June 12, facing the United States at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. local time, which is convenient for West Coast viewers and primetime for those on the East Coast.
The rest of Paraguay’s group stage is packed into a small area. After the first match, they play two more games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. With the tournament spread across three countries, Paraguay’s early matches all being in California makes travel and planning much simpler for fans.
This World Cup is a comeback for Paraguay. They secured their spot on September 4, 2025, with a 0–0 draw against Ecuador in Asunción. The next day, the Paraguayan government declared a national holiday, showing just how much the World Cup means to the country, even after a long break from the finals.
Gustavo Alfaro, who became coach in August 2024, led Paraguay back to the World Cup. Since he took charge, the team has improved in qualifying, with big wins against top South American teams. For fans, the timing of these changes is as important as the tactics. Paraguay worked hard to earn their place in 2026.
To get to know Paraguay, start with their nicknames: La Albirroja, meaning “the white-and-red,” and Los GuaranÃes. Paraguay has two official languages, Spanish and GuaranÃ, and this mix is a big part of the team’s identity. One cultural tradition you’ll often see is tereré, a cold yerba mate drink that people share, especially when it’s hot.
Where they’ll play and how to keep up
Paraguay’s group stage is simple to follow since it’s all in two stadiums. They play the United States at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, then face the UEFA Playoff C winner at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on June 19 at 9:00 p.m. local time, and Australia at the same stadium on June 25 at 7:00 p.m. local. For Eastern time viewers, that’s 9:00 p.m. ET for the first game, midnight ET for June 19, and 10:00 p.m. ET for June 25.
If you’re traveling, it’s easiest to see the group stage as two trips, or one trip with a move north after the first game. Having the last two matches in the same stadium helps a lot. You can get comfortable in one place, figure out local transport, and focus on enjoying the games instead of worrying about logistics.
In the United States, you can watch the tournament on FOX Sports and Telemundo, or listen on Futbol de Primera radio. In Paraguay, the games will be shown by New IP, TyC International, Nacion Media, and Radio 780 AM. If you’re making a guide for others, these are the main channels to include for easy access.
To keep up with Paraguay, remember these three players. Miguel Almirón is a well-known attacker, and his return to Atlanta United makes him easy to follow for MLS fans. Julio Enciso is a rising star in the attack, and his move from Brighton to Strasbourg in 2025 makes him one to watch in 2026. Omar Alderete is a key defender, and his 2025 transfer from Getafe to Sunderland shows Paraguay’s focus on strong defenders who handle tough moments that can decide group results.
For daily updates, stick to the official sources. The national team goes by Albirroja, and you can find them at \@albirroja on Instagram. The Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol also has its own accounts: \@APFOficial on X and \@apfoficial on Instagram, which are good for official news. For a collection of videos and press clips, the Selección Paraguaya de Fútbol YouTube channel is a dependable place to look.
The schedule shows what kind of World Cup Paraguay will have: one game in Los Angeles, then two in Santa Clara, both in the same stadium. This setup rewards teams that are steady and organized, which suits Paraguay’s style. If you’re following them in 2026, the best advice is simple: know the dates and times, follow the official channels, and see if this return leads to something bigger.
