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Abhinav Sharma

Paraguay Copa America 2024 squad: Which Albirroja players are going to the USA?

Which 23 players will Paraguay head coach Daniel Garnero take to the 2024 Copa America in United States?

Paraguay competed in four straight World Cups between 1998 and 2010 and reached the Copa America final in 2011. It was a great era for the two-time continental champs.

A Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan-inspired Uruguay eventually ran out 3-0 victors in the 2011 showpiece, and La Albirroja have endured a tough time of things since then.

They have yet to return to the World Cup in three tries, and one win in six sums up a worrying start to the qualification for the recently expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.

They only lost on penalties in the quarterfinals of the last two Copas, to Brazil in 2019 and Peru in 2021. Given they are pitted in a tricky Group D alongside Colombia, Brazil, and either Costa Rica or Honduras, reaching the knockout stages again would be deemed a success this time around.

A 23-player squad will be tabbed by Paraguay head coach Daniel Garnero to participate in the 2024 Copa America.

GOAL takes a look at the predicted Paraguay squad for this summer's Copa America, based upon the assumption that everyone fully fit for March international duty will remain as such in the summer.

  • CoronelGetty

    GOALKEEPERS

    The Paraguayan goalkeeper selection for this year's Copa America is quite predictable.

    New York Red Bulls' shot-stopper Carlos Coronel is expected to continue between the sticks ever since establishing his position as the No.1 with his impressive displays in the run-up to the Copa America.

    Botofogo veteran Gatito Fernandez and Olimpia's Juan Espínola will likely compete to be Coronel's deputy and replacement in case he is not able to feature during the tournament.

    NameClub
    Carlos CoronelNew York Red Bulls
    Juan EspínolaOlimpia
    Santiago RojasBotafogo
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  • GomezGetty

    DEFENDERS

    Paraguay's defensive roster is a very experienced one, with captain Gustavo Gomez marshalling the backline following a triumphant campaign with Palmeiras. Getafe's Omar Alderete will likely partner Gomez at the heart of the defence.

    Junior Alonso, who holds the honour of having represented Paraguay the most times of any player in the squad, will offer cover for the centre-half positions.

    Club Libertad Asunción full-back pairing, Matías Espinoza and Ivan Ramirez will hope to give a good account of themselves as the left-back and right-back, respectively. Dynamo Moscow's Fabian Balbuena and Vasco's Robert Rojas are both versatile players who can slot into a variety of defensive positions.

    NameClub
    Fabián BalbuenaDynamo Moscow
    Gustavo GomezPalmeiras
    Iván RamírezClub Libertad Asunción
    Júnior AlonsoFK Krasnodar
    Matías EspinozaClub Libertad Asunción
    Omar AldereteGetafe
    Robert RojasVasco da Gama
  • Almiron ParaguayGetty

    MIDFIELDERS

    Paraguay will hope they can finally get the Premier League duo of Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso firing together in attacking midfield, while Andres Cubas, Matias Rojas, and Mathias Villasanti will be the more defensive options in the middle of the park.

    MLS quartet Braian Ojeda, Gastón Giménez, and Diego Gomez are all able operators in the engine room and will be included in the 23-man squad. Meanwhile, Kaku has been on fire in terms of his goal involvement for Al-Ain in the UAE Pro League, so he will also get a call-up as a box-to-box alternative.

    NameClub
    Andres CubasVancouver Whitecaps
    Braian OjedaReal Salt Lake
    Diego GomezInter Miami
    Gastón GiménezChicago Fire
    Julio EncisoBrighton & Hove Albion
    KakuAl Ain
    Miguel AlmirónNewcastle United
    Matias GalarzaSeattle Sounders FC
    Mathías VillasantiGremio
  • Antonio SanabriaGetty

    FORWARDS

    There's decent competition for the starting centre-forward role in this squad, with San Lorenzo striker Adam Bareiro's early season goal-scoring exploits in the Argentine Primera Division likely to challenge Antonio Sanabria's starting position.

    There are plenty of options out wide, too. Ramon Sosa, Hector Villalba, Angel Romero, Almiron, and Enciso are all efficient wide forwards in their own right.

    NameClub
    Antonio SanabriaTorino
    Angel RomeroCorinthians
    Adam BareiroSan Lorenzo
    Ramón SosaClub Atlético Talleres
  • GarneroGetty

    EXPECTED XI

    Garnero has shown a degree of flexibility with his formations based on the opposition in recent games. He prefers the 4-2-3-1 formation, although he is not shy of using a back-five against stronger opponents, which would likely be the case in a tough Copa America group.

    Carlos will be between the sticks, with Gomez, Balbuena, and Alderete forming the three-man central defence in front of him.

    At right-back will be Ramirez, with the left-back spot certainly held for Espinoza.

    The midfield double pivot spots are certainly up for grabs at the moment, but it wouldn't be a surprise if more defensive-minded options in Cubas and Villasanthi get the nod there.

    Almiron and Enciso are expected to be the first-choice wingers, with Garnero set to stick with Sanabria's experience through the middle.

    Paraguay predicted XI (5-2-3/3-4-3): Carlos; Balbuena, Gomez, Alderete; Ramirez, Cubas, Villasanthi, Espinoza; Almiron, Sanabria, Enciso