Paraguay vs Australia Betting Odds, Lineups, Prediction & Best Bets

Paraguay vs Australia Match Summary

Group D comes down to the wire in Santa Clara, where Paraguay and Australia meet in a winner-takes-much finale for the second qualification spot behind the United States.

Paraguay sit third on three points with a minus-two goal difference. After a 4-1 loss to the U.S., La Albirroja steadied themselves with a 1-0 win over Turkey and now need a result.

Australia also have three points but a healthier even goal difference, beating Turkey 2-0 before falling 2-0 to the United States. With a better goal difference, a draw likely sends the Socceroos through.

These nations have met five times in friendlies, with Australia unbeaten across two wins and three draws. This is their first competitive meeting, so that history carries little weight here.

Paraguay vs Australia Form

Paraguay bounced back from the U.S. defeat with a 1-0 shutout of Turkey on a Matías Galarza goal. Their qualifying run produced wins over Chile and Peru. Brighton's Julio Enciso is the creative spark, but this squad leans heavily on its backline and individual moments rather than sustained attacking pressure.

Australia split their group games, a 2-0 win over Turkey followed by a 2-0 loss to the U.S. The Socceroos went undefeated through their 2025 Asian qualifiers, including a 1-0 win over Japan and a 2-1 result against Saudi Arabia. Teenage winger Nestory Irankunda, who scored against Turkey, gives them a real edge in transition on the counter.

Paraguay vs Australia Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

Paraguay: Miguel Almiron (Suspended)

Australia: Matthew Leckie (Injured/out)

Paraguay

The only Paraguay absentee for this game will be Miguel Almiron, who was sent off against Turkey for covering his mouth when speaking to an opposition player. Mauricio is expected to replace Almiron on the right flank. Paraguay will persist with their 4-4-2 shape, with Omar Alderete and Gustavo Gomez in defense.

Australia

Australia will be without Matthew Leckie for this game, who is out with a hamstring injury. Nestory Irankunda could come in to the lineup on the right flank, to support Mo Toure in attack. Cameron Burgess and Harry Souttar are expected to start in defense.

Paraguay vs Australia Predicted Lineup

Paraguay

Formation: 4-4-2

Predicted Starting Lineup: Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Mauricio, D. Gomez, Cubas, Galarza; Pitta, Enciso

Australia

Formation: 5-4-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: Beach; Italiano, Burgess, Circati, Souttar, Bos; Irankunda, O'Neill, Okon-Engstler, Velupillay; Toure

Paraguay vs Australia Key Stats & Match Facts

• Australia are unbeaten in all five previous meetings with Paraguay, with two wins and three draws.
• Every prior meeting between these nations has been a friendly, the most recent a 1-0 Australia win in Sydney back in October 2010.
• Paraguay have kept five clean sheets in their last ten competitive matches, a sign of how well-organized their backline has become.
• Australia's roster features 17 players making their World Cup debuts, a clear marker of a generational reset.
• 10 of Paraguay's last 11 World Cup matches across tournaments have finished under 2.5 total goals, underlining a long-standing low-scoring trend.

Paraguay vs Australia Talking Points

The biggest subplot is the qualification scenario. Australia head into the matchday level on points with Paraguay but with the better goal difference, which means a draw likely books their place in the Round of 32. That edge lets the Socceroos play patient, sit in a compact mid-block, and pick their moments to spring Irankunda on the counter.

Paraguay, meanwhile, have to chase the game — and that suits Australia's plan. The Socceroos also bring real engine to the field, averaging more ground covered than their regional peers under their head coach, which could tell late if Paraguay tire from doing the running. For La Albirroja, the answer has to come through their defensive identity and the individual quality of Enciso, because they cannot afford to leave this to tiebreaker scenarios.

Paraguay vs Australia Predictions FAQs

When is the Paraguay vs Australia World Cup game?

The match kicks off on June 25, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. ET at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi's Stadium) in Santa Clara, California.

What is the Paraguay vs Australia prediction?

Expect a tight, low-scoring matchup. Australia are slight favorites by reasoning — their organized backline and the fact a draw likely suffices for second place give them control, while Paraguay must take risks to chase a result.

Where can I watch Paraguay vs Australia?

In the U.S., the game airs in English on FOX/FS1 and in Spanish on Telemundo/Peacock. In Canada, it streams live on TSN.

What does each team need to advance?

Australia sit second on goal difference, so a draw would likely secure their place in the Round of 32. Paraguay realistically need a win, as a draw would leave their fate to the third-place wild-card standings.

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