Paraguay National Football Team Overview

The Paraguay national football team, known as Selección de fútbol de Paraguay in Spanish, represents Paraguay in men’s international football competitions. The team is governed by the Paraguayan Football Association (Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol) and is a member of CONMEBOL. Their nickname is the Albirroja, which refers to their red and white colors.

FIFA World Cup Performances: Paraguay has qualified for eight FIFA World Cup competitions in 1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. Their best performance was in the 2010 World Cup when they reached the quarter-finals.

Copa América Success: Paraguay has been a regular participant in the Copa América tournament and has won the competition twice, in 1953 and 1979.

FIFA Rankings: Paraguay’s highest FIFA World Ranking was 8th in March 2001, while their lowest ranking was 103rd in May 1995. In 1996, Paraguay was awarded second place for Best Move of the Year for their rise in the FIFA Rankings.

Notable Achievements: Under coach Gerardo Martino’s leadership, Paraguay reached the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and finished as runners-up in the Copa América in 2011. Players like Carlos Gamarra and José Luis Chilavert have been selected for the All-Star Team during the World Cup.

Top Players: Paulo da Silva holds the record for most appearances for the national team with 148 matches, while Roque Santa Cruz is the all-time leading goal scorer with 32 goals. Denis Caniza represented Paraguay in four consecutive FIFA World Cup competitions from 1998 to 2010.

Historical Overview: The history of the Paraguay national football team dates back to its formation in 1910 when they played their first friendly match. They participated in their first World Cup in 1930 and achieved success by winning the Copa América in both 1953 and 1979.
Paraguay national football team has a rich history with notable achievements such as multiple FIFA World Cup qualifications, two Copa América titles, and significant performances under key coaches and players throughout its existence.