Preview: Paraguay vs Brazil – predictions, team news, lineups

Brazil will try to record a second consecutive victory when they travel to Asuncion for the 2026 tournament on Tuesday. World Cup qualifier against Paraguay.

The Seleçao sit fourth with 10 points to their name, while the hosts are four points further back in seventh.

Match Preview

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Paraguay entered the current international period with a new manager after Daniel Garnero was fired after a disappointing campaign at the 2024 Copa America.

La Albirroja lost to Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica, suffering their first group stage elimination since 2016.

After beating Paraguay at the Copa America, Gustavo Alfaro left his position as Costa Rica coach to become the new head coach of La Albirroja.

Alfaro began his tenure with a 0-0 draw in Friday’s trip to Uruguay, taking their tally to six points, leaving them in the inter-confederation play-off spot and two points off the automatic qualification places.

Having won just one of their seven 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, Paraguay know they will have their work cut out to beat Brazil in normal time since their 2-0 home victory in June 2008.

The hosts have had mixed results in their three home games in the current qualifying cycle, drawing with Peru, beating Bolivia and losing to Colombia.

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Brazil may have beaten Paraguay at the 2024 Copa America, but it ultimately proved to be their only victory in a disappointing tournament.

The Seleçao drew their other two group games and lost on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals, their worst Copa America performance since being eliminated in the group stage in 2016.

Dorival JuniorThe team returned to competition on Friday in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, with RodrygoThe first-half effort proved enough to earn his country a narrow 1-0 victory, ending Brazil’s four-match winless run in qualifying.

After enjoying success in his first World Cup qualifier, Dorival has now won four and drawn five since taking charge of the team earlier this year.

Brazil will be looking for a second straight win in Tuesday’s match, having won four of their last five meetings against Paraguay in normal time, including a dominant 4-1 victory in the 2024 Copa America group stage.

The Seleçao can also take confidence from the fact that they have won their last three World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay without conceding a goal – a run of results that includes a 2-0 away victory in June 2021.

Paraguay, World Cup qualifiers – South America form:

Paraguay profile (all competitions):

Brazil, World Cup Qualifiers – South America Form:

Brazil profile (all competitions):

Team News

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Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gomez will be suspended for one match after receiving his second yellow card for playing in the 0-0 draw against Uruguay in qualifying.

The experienced Fabien Balbuena is set to replace Gomez and operate in central defence alongside Getafe defender Omar Alderete.

Midfielder Mathias Villasanti is battling for a starting spot after coming off the bench to play more than half an hour in Friday’s outing.

As for the visitors, they cannot count on the Real Madrid central defender. Eder Militaowho suffered an injury ahead of the win against Ecuador.

Borussia Dortmund Yan CoutoManchester City Savinho and Flamengo Pedro were all forced to withdraw from the squad due to their respective injury problems.

Dorival could be tempted to select the same team that started against Ecuador, which would see Luiz Henrique make a second consecutive departure.

The Botafogo forward is expected to play in attack alongside Real Madrid duo Rodrygo and Vinicius Juniorbut their club teammate Endrick may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Possible composition of the Paraguay team:
Fernandez; Velazquez, Balbuena, Alderete, Alonso; Gomez, Villasanti, Bobadilla; Almiron, Enciso, Pitta

Possible composition of Brazil’s starting eleven:
Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Arana; André, Guimaraes, Paqueta; Henrique, Vinicius, Rodrygo

We say: Paraguay 0-2 Brazil

Brazil have been frustrated by a number of draws during Dorival’s short tenure but we don’t expect that to be a problem in Tuesday’s game as we believe the visitors will show their extra quality to claim all three points.

For data analysis on the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.

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