Paraguay vs Australia Lineups, Starting 11, Bench & Formation
(Santa Clara)
Paraguay5-3-2Australia5-3-2Paraguay formation5-3-2Australia formation5-3-2Paraguay5-3-2Australia5-3-2Gustavo Alfaro
Paraguay use a confirmed five-player defensive line, with Cubas screening and Enciso working off Avalos in transition.
Tony Popovic
Australia also start in a five-defender structure, with Irvine and O’Neill protecting the centre behind Irankunda and Volpato.
Paraguay XI
Confirmed starters: 11
Bench listed by FIFA: 14
Captain: Gustavo Gomez
Average shirt number: 13
Australia XI
Confirmed starters: 11
Bench listed by FIFA: 13
Captain: Harry Souttar
Average shirt number: 15
Paraguay national football team vs Australia national football team lineups are now confirmed by FIFA for the Group D match in Santa Clara. Paraguay start captain Gustavo Gomez in a five-player defensive line, while Australia start Patrick Beach in goal and Harry Souttar as captain. The card above has been rebuilt in a FIFA-style layout with confirmed starters, formation view, bench, managers, and match stats tabs.
Paraguay vs Australia lineups now carry official match-sheet status, not a projected tracker. FIFA lists the match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium with a 22:00 ET kickoff on June 25, 2026. The selection points to a cautious knockout-pressure game because both teams can still shape their Round of 32 route. FWCTimes will update the same card again if FIFA records late substitutions, disciplinary changes, or match-status updates.
Match Details
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Group | Group D |
| Match | Match 60 |
| Venue | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium |
| City | Santa Clara |
| Kickoff | 22:00 ET, 19:00 PT, 02:00 UTC |
| Referee | Clément Turpin |
| Lineup status | Confirmed by FIFA live match feed |
Team News and Lineup Preview
Paraguay national football team vs Australia national football team lineups show two coaches choosing security before risk. Both teams begin with five defenders, three central players, and two attacking outlets. That shape gives the match a clear first-half theme: protect the middle, avoid cheap turnovers, and ask forwards to make the first transition count.
Paraguay Team News
Gustavo Alfaro starts Orlando Gill in goal behind Gustavo Velazquez, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Gustavo Gomez, and Alexandro Maidana. Andres Cubas gives Paraguay the main holding presence, with Matias Galarza and Diego Gomez ahead of him. Julio Enciso starts close to Gabriel Avalos, so Paraguay can break quickly without leaving the back line exposed.
Australia Team News
Tony Popovic starts Patrick Beach in goal and keeps Harry Souttar as the defensive leader. Alessandro Circati, Jordan Bos, Aziz Behich, and Lucas Herrington complete the five-player defensive unit. Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, and Jackson Irvine protect central areas, while Nestory Irankunda and Cristian Volpato carry the attacking route.
What Could Change Before Kickoff
The official starters are locked in the FIFA feed, but late warm-up issues can still change a match sheet before kickoff. If that happens, FIFA normally updates the player status field first. FWCTimes will treat any late change as official only when the same live feed changes the starter or substitute list.
Paraguay vs Australia Lineups Status
| Team | Formation | Confirmed starting 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Paraguay | 5-3-2 | 12 Orlando Gill; 2 Gustavo Velazquez; 3 Omar Alderete; 4 Juan Jose Caceres; 15 Gustavo Gomez; 26 Alexandro Maidana; 8 Diego Gomez; 14 Andres Cubas; 23 Matias Galarza; 19 Julio Enciso; 21 Gabriel Avalos |
| Australia | 5-3-2 | 18 Patrick Beach; 3 Alessandro Circati; 5 Jordan Bos; 16 Aziz Behich; 19 Harry Souttar; 25 Lucas Herrington; 8 Connor Metcalfe; 13 Aiden O'Neill; 22 Jackson Irvine; 17 Nestory Irankunda; 20 Cristian Volpato |
The confirmed lineups point to a match with narrow spaces and limited early risk. Paraguay have enough forward quality through Enciso and Avalos to attack loose passes. Australia answer with Irankunda’s pace and Volpato’s ability to receive between defenders. The first goal could force one coach to move away from the five-defender base.
Paraguay Starting XI
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Orlando Gill | GK | San Lorenzo |
| 2 | Gustavo Velazquez | RB | Cerro Porteno |
| 3 | Omar Alderete | CB | Sunderland |
| 4 | Juan Jose Caceres | CB | yet to be confirmed |
| 15 | Gustavo Gomez (C) | CB | Palmeiras |
| 26 | Alexandro Maidana | LB | yet to be confirmed |
| 8 | Diego Gomez | CAM | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| 14 | Andres Cubas | CDM | yet to be confirmed |
| 23 | Matias Galarza | CM | Atlanta United |
| 19 | Julio Enciso | ST | Strasbourg |
| 21 | Gabriel Avalos | ST | yet to be confirmed |
Paraguay’s XI is built around defensive numbers and central protection. Gomez leads the line from the back, while Cubas must keep Australia from turning through midfield. Enciso becomes the most flexible attacking piece because he can drop short or run beyond Avalos.
Australia Starting XI
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Patrick Beach | GK | Melbourne City |
| 3 | Alessandro Circati | CB | Parma |
| 5 | Jordan Bos | LB | Westerlo |
| 16 | Aziz Behich | RB | Melbourne City |
| 19 | Harry Souttar (C) | CB | Leicester City |
| 25 | Lucas Herrington | CB | Brisbane Roar |
| 8 | Connor Metcalfe | CM | St Pauli |
| 13 | Aiden O'Neill | CDM | yet to be confirmed |
| 22 | Jackson Irvine | CM | St Pauli |
| 17 | Nestory Irankunda | ST | Watford |
| 20 | Cristian Volpato | ST | Sassuolo |
Australia’s XI gives Popovic height, recovery pace, and midfield work rate. Souttar anchors the defensive line, while Irvine and O’Neill can screen second balls. Irankunda and Volpato need clean service because Australia do not start with a classic high-volume penalty-box striker.
Formation Analysis
Both teams start from a 5-3-2 reading of the FIFA team sheet. Paraguay can defend with a back five, then release Diego Gomez and Enciso into the first forward pass. Australia can mirror that structure, using Bos and Behich to manage wide zones while Metcalfe and Irvine contest the middle third.
The shared shape makes individual duels more important. If Paraguay pin Australia’s wing-backs, Enciso can receive in better pockets. If Australia force Paraguay into clearances, Souttar and Circati can keep pressure high. The formations look conservative, yet both teams still have transition speed.
Key Players in the Starting Lineup
Gustavo Gomez is Paraguay’s key organiser because he controls the defensive line and captains the team. Andres Cubas matters in front of him, since Australia will try to play through Irvine and O’Neill. Julio Enciso gives Paraguay the best route from midfield into goal threat.
Harry Souttar is Australia’s central reference on defensive balls and attacking set pieces. Jackson Irvine brings timing and work rate from midfield. Nestory Irankunda gives Australia the direct outlet that can change the tempo when Paraguay’s back line steps up.
Bench Strength Comparison
Paraguay’s bench includes Gatito Fernandez, Gaston Olveira, Fabian Balbuena, Junior Alonso, Ramon Sosa, Antonio Sanabria, and Isidro Pitta. That gives Alfaro defensive cover and several attacking profiles if the match opens up. Sanabria and Pitta are the clearest late penalty-box options.
Australia list Mathew Ryan, Paul Izzo, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess, Ajdin Hrustic, Awer Mabil, Mohamed Toure, and Tete Yengi among the substitutes. Popovic can add experience in goal, extra centre-back cover, or more forward power. Hrustic and Mabil give Australia two creative bench routes.
Head Coaches – Tactical Approach
Gustavo Alfaro has chosen a compact plan that protects Paraguay’s centre first. His team can still counter through Enciso, Diego Gomez, and Avalos, but the starting structure asks the wing-backs and centre-backs to stay connected. Paraguay should look strongest when they win second balls in midfield.
Tony Popovic has matched the defensive numbers and trusted a younger attacking pair. Australia can use Souttar’s aerial strength to manage pressure, then push Irankunda into space after recoveries. The lineup tells readers that Popovic wants control before chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Paraguay vs Australia lineups confirmed?
Yes. FIFA's live match endpoint lists the confirmed starters and substitutes for both teams.
What formation are Paraguay using against Australia?
Paraguay are shown in a 5-3-2 structure based on the confirmed FIFA player list.
What formation are Australia using against Paraguay?
Australia are also shown in a 5-3-2 structure, with Harry Souttar captaining the side.
Who captains Paraguay vs Australia?
Gustavo Gomez captains Paraguay, while Harry Souttar captains Australia.
Where is Paraguay vs Australia being played?
The match is at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara.
Paraguay vs Australia lineups are confirmed from FIFA’s live match data, with both teams starting in a 5-3-2 structure. Paraguay rely on Gomez, Cubas, Diego Gomez, Enciso, and Avalos to carry their plan. Australia start Beach, Souttar, Irvine, Irankunda, and Volpato in a lineup built for defensive control and quick breaks.
