Paraguay returns to World Cup after 16 years, faces host U.S. in opener

Paraguay's national football team, known as La Albirroja, is set to make its return to the World Cup stage in 2026, ending a 16-year drought. The team's journey begins on June 12 in Los Angeles, where they will face co-host United States. This marks Paraguay's first World Cup appearance since the 2010 tournament. Coach Gustavo Alfaro has his full squad of 26 players available for the debut. The team's formation for the opening match against the U.S. is expected to include Julio Enciso, a forward for Racing Strasbourg, who has recovered from a muscular injury. Enciso's return is a significant boost for the team. The match will be broadcast on ABC Cardinal 730 AM and Cardinal Romance 98.5 FM. Paraguay is in Group D alongside Turkey and Australia, who are scheduled to play their opening matches on June 14. The game against the United States will take place at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, kicking off at 10:00 PM local time. This is the third match of the tournament, following earlier victories by Mexico and South Korea.