Preview: Germany vs Paraguay – Latest News, Predicted Lineups, Team News | 2026 World Cup (29/06/2026)

Last update at 28 June, 2026⏲️ Reading time: 4 minutes

Round of 32 clash between Germany and Paraguay.

Germany and Paraguay face off in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

Germany and Paraguay meet in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The match will take place at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, United States. Both teams met expectations during the group stage, where they could afford to lose one match.

Fans who do not want to miss any of the action can check out our guide on where to watch Germany vs Paraguay live and follow every moment of the match from anywhere.

There is no room for error anymore, as the loser will be heading home. The winner will face either France or Sweden in the Round of 16.

Latest team news

Germany have reached the knockout stage of a World Cup again after being eliminated in the group stage in each of the previous two editions. Paraguay, meanwhile, are back in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in 16 years.

Germany

Julian Nagelsmann's side won their first two matches of the 2026 World Cup to secure top spot in the group. In the third and final game, Germany rotated several players and approached the match with less intensity, allowing Ecuador to claim a victory and avoid elimination. The four-time world champions are expected to return to full strength for this encounter.

Paraguay

Paraguay recovered impressively from a difficult start to the 2026 World Cup. Gustavo Alfaro's side were heavily beaten by the United States in their opening match. That result left them with no margin for error against Turkey, but despite playing the entire second half with ten men, they earned a crucial victory. In the final group game they faced Australia, with a draw enough to send both teams into the Round of 32, which is exactly how the match ended.

Germany vs Paraguay: Head-to-head record

Germany and Paraguay have only met twice before. The first meeting came in the Round of 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, where Germany edged a narrow victory. Their second encounter was an international friendly in 2013, which finished level.

(15/06/2002) Germany 1-0 Paraguay
(14/08/2013) Germany 3-3 Paraguay

Predicted lineups

Nagelsmann is expected to restore his strongest starting XI, with the only major question being whether Havertz or Undav starts up front. Gustavo Alfaro, meanwhile, will be without the injured Alderete and the suspended Diego Gómez, forcing him to make changes to his lineup.

Position	-Germany	–Paraguay
Goalkeeper	Neuer	Gil
Defenders	Kimmich Tah Rudiger Brown	Cáceres Gómez Velázquez Alonso
Midfielders	Nmecha Pavlovich Sané Musica Wirtz	Almirón Cubas Mauricio Galarza
Forwards	Havertz	Pitta Enciso

Tactical analysis: Germany expected to dominate possession

Paraguay are expected to concede possession and defend in a compact low block with two tight defensive lines, looking to close every available space. Because of that, Germany's quick ball circulation and their ability to find Musiala and Wirtz between the lines will be crucial. If they succeed, Paraguay could struggle to cope with the quality of Germany's two creative playmakers.

Nagelsmann knows exactly what kind of game awaits his side. Patience and efficiency in front of goal will be essential. If Germany score first, Paraguay will be forced to abandon their defensive approach, creating the open spaces where the Germans are usually at their most dangerous.

Key players to watch

The standout players in this match could be Kimmich for Germany and Gil for Paraguay.

Kimmich (Germany)

The German captain starts at right-back but frequently moves into midfield to dictate the tempo of the game. He is one of Nagelsmann's most important players. If Kimmich controls possession, connects consistently with Musiala and Wirtz, and delivers quality crosses, Germany will have every chance of overcoming Paraguay and keeping their World Cup dream alive.

Gil (Paraguay)

With Omar Alderete injured and Diego Gómez suspended, goalkeeper Orlando Gil will have a huge role to play. The San Lorenzo shot-stopper is expected to be extremely busy. Paraguay know their best chance is to keep the match alive for as long as possible, potentially forcing extra time or even penalties. In that scenario, a standout performance from Gil could prove decisive.

Betting analysis and odds

Germany are the clear favourites, as reflected by the latest 2026 World Cup betting odds. A German victory in 90 minutes is priced between 1.30 and 1.36, while qualification for the Round of 16 ranges from 1.13 to 1.14. Paraguay to progress is available between 5.50 and 6.00. Bookmakers also expect a low-scoring contest, with Under 2.5 Goals priced between 1.66 and 1.70.

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