Paraguay vs Australia Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview
Paraguay and Australia are level on points in Group D at Levi's Stadium. We back the Socceroos at +300 to seal their round of 16 spot.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Updated on 22 June 2026
| Match | Date | Kickoff | Venue | Stage | TV (USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay vs Australia | June 25, 2026 | 7:00 PM PT | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | Group D, Matchday 3 | Fox Sports |
Why This Game Matters
Both Paraguay and Australia arrive at Levi’s Stadium with three points from two games, separated only by goal difference in Group D. A win for either side secures second place behind the already-qualified United States and a place in the round of 16. A draw could also be enough for Australia, who hold the superior goal difference, but Paraguay need the three points to guarantee progression. With Turkey eliminated and the USA confirmed top, this is as close to a knockout game as the group stage gets.
POPULAR
Our Pick
Australia to win this World Cup group decider, available at +300 with BetOnline. The Socceroos carry a better goal difference and the tactical discipline to contain a Paraguay attack that has been inconsistent at this tournament.
Paraguay vs Australia: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds
Sixteen years is a long time to wait. Paraguay last appeared at a World Cup in South Africa in 2010, and their quarter-final run that year remains the high-water mark of their tournament history. Gustavo Alfaro’s side have navigated the group stage with grit rather than flair: a heavy 4-1 defeat to the USA on Matchday 1 was followed by a composed 1-0 win over Turkey. They need a result here, and they know it.
Australia, under Tony Popovic, have been one of the more organized sides in the tournament’s early rounds. A 2-0 opening win over Turkey gave them a platform, though the subsequent 2-0 loss to the USA exposed some defensive frailty against elite opposition. The Socceroos’ qualifying campaign through the AFC was outstanding, four wins from four, and that confidence in structure has carried into the tournament proper.
This is a game shaped by stakes rather than style. Paraguay will look to control territory through midfield and rely on the individual quality of Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso to create moments. Australia will be content to absorb and transition, with their experienced captain Mathew Ryan providing composure between the sticks. The team that manages the pressure of the occasion best will likely advance.
Recent Form & Trends
Paraguay
- Turkey (A): Won 1-0 – FIFA World Cup
- United States (A): Lost 1-4 – FIFA World Cup
- Nicaragua (H): Won 4-0 – Friendly
- Morocco (N): Lost 1-2 – Friendly
- Greece (A): Won 1-0 – Friendly
Paraguay’s form is a study in contrasts. Their 4-0 friendly win over Nicaragua and back-to-back 1-0 victories against Greece and Turkey show they can defend a lead and grind out results. The USA thrashing was an outlier against the co-hosts’ quality, but the margin was alarming. They have kept two clean sheets in their last three competitive fixtures, which matters here.
Australia
- United States (A): Lost 0-2 – FIFA World Cup
- Turkey (H): Won 2-0 – FIFA World Cup
- Switzerland (N): Drew 1-1 – Friendly
- Mexico (N): Lost 0-1 – Friendly
- Curacao (H): Won 5-1 – FIFA Series
Australia’s World Cup form mirrors Paraguay’s almost exactly: one comfortable win, one defeat to the USA, and a goal difference that edges them ahead at this stage. Their AFC qualifying run was genuinely impressive, wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia included, and Popovic has built a side with a recognizable shape. The 2-0 win over Turkey was professional and controlled.
Paraguay vs Australia History & H2H Trends
These two nations have met five times, all in friendly competition. Australia hold a marginal edge, with one win, two draws, and one loss from the four games in the record, and a 1-0 win in October 2010 is the most recent meeting. A 1-1 draw in 2006 and three encounters across June 2000, two scoreless and one a 2-1 Australia win, round out a limited but informative head-to-head picture.
The numbers suggest tight, low-scoring affairs are the historical norm between these sides. Three of the five meetings produced one goal or fewer, and only once has either team scored more than two. No World Cup meeting has taken place before this fixture, meaning there is no major-tournament precedent to draw on. The pattern of cagey, closely contested games does, however, support an under-goals lean in Santa Clara.
Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News
Paraguay’s squad blends genuine experience and emerging talent. Gustavo Gomez, the Palmeiras centre-back, leads the defensive line with 89 caps to his name. Fabián Balbuena and Júnior Alonso provide additional cover at the back, giving Alfaro options in a settled defensive unit. The only goal scorer registered at this World Cup for Paraguay has been Mauricio, whose strike against Turkey proved decisive.
Australia’s squad is anchored by Mathew Ryan in goal, whose 104 caps make him the most experienced player on the park for either side. Harry Souttar is a significant presence in central defense, while Jackson Irvine drives the midfield engine. Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda have both found the net at this tournament, giving Popovic reliable options in the final third.
There are no confirmed suspensions or red-card absences for either side heading into this fixture. Both squads have been named and both managers have the luxury of a full complement available for selection. The fitness of key attacking players, particularly Enciso for Paraguay and Irankunda for Australia, will bear watching closer to kickoff.
Expected Lineups
Paraguay (4-2-3-1): Gatito Fernandez; Juan Jose Caceres, Gustavo Gomez (c), Fabián Balbuena, Júnior Alonso; Andrés Cubas, Braian Ojeda; Diego Gomez, Miguel Almirón, Julio Enciso; Antonio Sanabria.
Australia (4-3-3): Mathew Ryan (c); Jason Geria, Harry Souttar, Milos Degenek, Jordan Bos; Jackson Irvine, Aiden O’Neill, Connor Metcalfe; Nestory Irankunda, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil.
Predicted lineups based on available squad information. Starting elevens to be confirmed closer to kickoff.
Key Matchup to Watch
The battle between Miguel Almirón and Australia’s central midfield trio will likely define this game. Almirón, with 76 caps and 10 international goals, operates in the space between the lines and has the pace and technique to punish a midfield that sits deep. Jackson Irvine, with 82 caps and 14 international goals, leads that Australian unit with energy and physicality. If Irvine and Aiden O’Neill can limit Almirón’s time on the ball and prevent him from turning in dangerous areas, Australia have the defensive solidity to frustrate Paraguay’s attack. If Almirón finds pockets of space, Paraguay have the quality to convert. This midfield contest is the game’s axis.
Best Bets & Expert Picks
POPULAR
Australia to Win (+300, BetOnline). The Socceroos have the better goal difference, a more coherent defensive structure under Popovic, and the experience of Mathew Ryan in goal. Paraguay are capable of grinding results but their goal output at this tournament has been limited. At +300, Australia represent genuine value in a game they need at most a draw to qualify.
Under 2 Goals (-145, BetOnline). Five of the five head-to-head meetings between these sides produced two goals or fewer. Both teams have shown they are capable of keeping clean sheets at this tournament. Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Turkey and Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkey both came with defensive discipline at the forefront. The under on a 2-goal line at -145 is a defensible lean supported by both history and recent form.
Jackson Irvine Anytime Scorer. Irvine has 14 international goals from 82 caps and leads Australia’s midfield by both experience and goal threat. He has been a consistent scorer for the Socceroos across recent campaigns. With set-piece delivery a potential avenue against a Paraguay side that conceded four to the USA, Irvine’s presence in the box makes him a reasonable anytime scorer option.
Australia to Win & Under 2 Goals (Parlay). Combining an Australia win with an under-goals outcome builds on the defensive themes that define both squads’ World Cup campaigns. It is not a clean layup, but at the prices available, the combination reflects what this fixture has historically and tactically telegraphed.
Betting Odds & Lines
Here is a full breakdown of the Paraguay vs Australia betting odds across all three approved sportsbooks as of the latest snapshot.
| Outcome | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay Win | +195 | +190 | +190 |
| Draw | +120 | +125 | +125 |
| Australia Win | +300 | +295 | +295 |
| Totals (O/U 2) | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 2 | +128 | +128 | +125 |
| Under 2 | -145 | -145 | -145 |
The best available Paraguay vs Australia betting odds for an Australia win sit at +300 with BetOnline. The draw is available at +126 at best price across the market.
How to Watch & Where to Bet
How to Watch
Paraguay vs Australia is broadcast live in the United States on Fox Sports. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM PT on June 25, 2026, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Viewers in Australia can watch on SBS or Optus Sport. UK viewers have the match on ITV or BBC.
How to Bet
New to betting on World Cup 2026? Here is how to get your Paraguay vs Australia picks on quickly and safely.
- Choose a licensed sportsbook. BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, and BetNow are all approved options for US bettors.
- Create an account. The process takes under five minutes and requires basic personal details.
- Verify your identity. Most books require a government-issued ID to activate withdrawals.
- Make a deposit. Credit card, bank transfer, and crypto options are available depending on the operator.
- Navigate to the World Cup 2026 section. Find Group D and locate the Paraguay vs Australia match.
- Select your market. Match result, totals, and anytime scorer are all available in the main betting menu.
- Enter your stake. Review the potential payout before confirming.
- Place the bet. Your wager will be confirmed instantly, and you can track it live once the match begins.
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Ginevra Cattaneo
Ginevra Cattaneo grew up in Bologna with a football shirt on her back and a match playing somewhere in the background at all times. From backyard arguments about whether Maldini or Baresi was the greatest ever to staying up late watching Champions League nights, the game has always been at the centre of her life. She brings that same passion and familiarity to everything she writes, covering Serie A, Italian football culture, and the rapidly growing world of women's football in Italy.
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