Paraguay's national team arrives in San José five days before their 2026 World Cup debut

The Paraguayan national football team, known as La Albirroja, has landed in San José, California, five days ahead of their opening match in the 2026 World Cup. The team, managed by Gustavo Alfaro, is preparing for their debut in Group D, which also includes the United States, Turkey, and Australia.

La Albirroja arrived at the Hotel Hilton, their designated accommodation in the Californian city. The team's first game is scheduled for Friday, June 12, at 10:00 PM local time, to be held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The squad traveled from Asunción on a charter flight, one day after securing a 4-0 victory against Nicaragua in a friendly match.

Paraguay is scheduled for a training session on Sunday at the Spartan Soccer Complex. The first 15 minutes of this session will be open to the press. Fans residing in San José gathered at the hotel to greet the team, with player Fabián Balbuena signing autographs and expressing his excitement about the reception.

However, the team faces a setback with the injury of Julio Enciso. The forward suffered a muscular contusion in his right thigh during the friendly against Nicaragua. While he will be evaluated daily, he is confirmed to miss the crucial opening match against the United States. Enciso's absence is a significant blow as Paraguay aims for a strong start in the tournament.