Paraguay eyes France after historic upset over Germany

Fresh off a historic penalty shootout victory against Germany, the Paraguayan national team has shifted its focus to its next major challenge: France in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

The squad arrived in Philadelphia and commenced training at the University of Pennsylvania's sports complex. Players who endured significant exertion in the match against Germany are undergoing regenerative work in the gym, while the rest of the team is on the field, engaging in dynamic drills and ball work under the guidance of coach Gustavo Alfaro and his technical staff.

A primary concern for the coaching team is the physical condition of defender Omar Alderete, who sustained a knee blow against Australia. He trained separately from the main group, limiting his activity to walks around the field with the medical staff. His recovery will be monitored daily to determine his availability for the match against France. Alderete was a substitute against Germany and is now a doubt for the upcoming game.

On a positive note, midfielder Diego Gómez has returned to the squad after serving a suspension for accumulated yellow cards. His availability provides an important alternative for Paraguay's midfield. In the coming training sessions, Alfaro will begin to define the team's lineup and tactical approach to challenge one of the tournament's powerhouses. With their confidence boosted by eliminating Germany, Paraguay enters the match against France with their World Cup dreams alive.