Germany vs Paraguay Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. No room for error as Paraguay look to repeat the giant-killing feat

The Round of 32 encounter will take place at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where Germany will arrive after topping Group E with six points. Nagelsmann’s team announced themselves as title holders by dismantling Curaçao 7-1 before overcoming Ivory Coast 2-1 to seal early qualification. Their final group clash brought a timely reminder that improvements are still needed, however, as Ecuador inflicted a 2-1 defeat despite Germany already taking first place.

Paraguay’s group stage journey is unlikely to be different. Their tournament appeared in danger of ending after a 4-1 loss to the hosts United States in the first game, but Alfaro’s players responded with impressive resilience. A disciplined 1-0 victory against Türkiye, achieved after playing the entire second half with ten men, returned to their campaign before a difficult 0-0 draw against Australia secured four points and a place among the best third place in the tournament.

Germany will once again rely on one of the competition’s most exciting attacking units. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz continue to provide creativity behind Kai Havertz, while Deniz Undav has been one of the stories of the tournament. The striker scored three goals despite only coming off the bench and entered the knockout stage as Germany’s most effective substitute. Defensively, Germany suffered a major loss after Nico Schlotterbeck was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a serious ankle injury, leaving Antonio Rüdiger to man the back line.

Paraguay also received a significant improvement. Miguel Almirón returns after his suspension and is expected to partner Julio Enciso in leading the counter-attacking threat. Midfielder Diego Gómez, however, was unavailable after picking up two yellow cards in the group stage.

This is only the second World Cup meeting between the countries. Their previous encounter took place in the Round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea, where Germany finally broke Paraguay’s resistance in the 88th minute through Oliver Neuville before finishing runner-up Brazil.

The tactical difference promises to define the competition. Nagelsmann’s Germany favored aggressive pressing, fluid movement and continuous possession, while Alfaro built Paraguay around defensive organization, compact positioning and quick transitions. Germany may bring the stronger pedigree, but Paraguay have shown throughout the group stage that they are capable of frustrating fancier opponents when discipline and structure take center stage.