Paraguay vs Australia – Prediction, where to watch, kick-off time and line-ups 26-06

Paraguay and Australia meet for a decisive fixture in the third round of the World Cup 2026 group stage. The match takes place this Friday, 26 June at 3 AM (BST) (UK time), at Levi"s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

With a place in the knockout stages at stake, this is a must-win game for both sides. Paraguay secured a vital 1-0 victory over Turkey in their last match and know a similar result here would guarantee their progression to the next round.

Find out where to watch the match and what our experts are forecasting in our detailed Paraguay vs. Australia prediction, as well as the probable line-ups expected for today"s encounter.

Paraguay vs. Australia - Head-to-head record

Paraguay and Australia are set to write the fourth chapter of their footballing history, as they played three friendly matches in the past. Australia won two, while one game was tied. In this Paraguay vs Australia fixture, both teams will be eager to set a positive precedent. The match promises to be a fascinating encounter on a completely level playing field.

Paraguay - Qualification in their sights

Paraguay enter this crucial match with their confidence boosted after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Turkey, even with ten men. A win against Australia will secure their spot in the knockout stages. In the following sections, we will take a closer look at their current form and tactical setup. We will also look at the expected Paraguay vs. Australia line-ups.

Recent form

Paraguay’s World Cup journey has seen mixed results, including a 4-1 loss to the USA and an important 1-0 win against Turkey. The victory against Turkey was notable as they played the second half with ten men, showcasing impressive defensive resilience. This performance puts their qualification hopes firmly within reach.

Across all competitions, including friendlies, Paraguay has won five and lost four of their last ten matches. This indicates a degree of inconsistency in their overall form. While they can secure narrow victories, the significant defeat to the USA raises concerns about their competitiveness against top-tier teams.

The suspension of key midfielder Miguel Almirón and the potential absence of Sosa significantly impact Paraguay’s game. Julio Enciso, with two tournament assists, will need to step up creatively in his absence. Furthermore, the defensive solidity led by experienced Gustavo Gómez will be crucial in this decisive game.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for Paraguay

Gill; Alderete, Alonso, Cáceres, G. Gómez; Mauricio, Galarza, D. Gómez, Cubas; Enciso, Ávalos.

Manager: Gustavo Alfaro.

Australia - Seeking to find consistency

Let’s turn our attention to Australia’s current situation. We will analyse the team’s momentum, recent form, and key players for the upcoming match in Santa Clara.

Recent form

Australia’s World Cup journey shows mixed results, with a 2-0 win over Turkey followed by a 2-0 loss to the USA. They sit on three points, keeping their qualification hopes alive for this final group game. Their single away match loss to the USA exposed weaknesses that opponents will aim to exploit.

Inconsistent form marked their pre-tournament run, featuring a 1-0 defeat to Mexico and a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in friendly internationals. The Socceroos have won only three of their last nine games across all competitions. This suggests a team capable of good performances but lacking tournament-level consistency.

Attackers Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda, both scoring against Turkey, will be key to Australia’s offensive efforts. Crucially, this team may play without Italiano and Leckie. This factor could be vital in the Paraguay vs. Australia encounter.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for Australia

Beach; Bos, Burgess, Circati, Souttar, Geria; Irankunda, O’Neill, Metcalfe, Okon-Engstler; Toure.

Manager: Tony Popovic.

Paraguay vs. Australia - Stats

• Paraguay’s two World Cup matches have seen an average of 3.0 total goals.
• Australia’s games in the tournament have averaged 2.0 total goals so far.
• Paraguay have scored two goals in the competition, with Matías Galarza and Mauricio Prado getting on the scoresheet.
• Australia have also found the back of the net twice, through Connor Metcalfe and Nestory Irankunda.
• Paraguay: Attacker Julio Enciso has provided two assists in his two appearances in the tournament.
• Australia: Midfielder P. Okon-Engstler has created one goal in his two matches.

Predictions for Paraguay vs. Australia - a cagey affair expected

Paraguay showed immense defensive resilience to beat Turkey with ten men, a quality they will rely on in this decisive clash. A cautious start from both sides seems probable, making a “Draw at Half-Time" a real possibility.

Australia knows they must find a way through that resolute defence, but their recent inconsistent form suggests it will be a difficult task. This could lead to a cagey first half with under 1.5 goals being scored before the break.

Considering Paraguay’s determined performance and Australia’s struggles for consistency, the South American side seems well-placed to avoid defeat. Our main prediction is for a “Paraguay or Draw" result in this crucial match.

Paraguay x Australia
Tip	Tip	Best Odd
Money Line	Draw at Half-Time	1.78 at BetMGM
Over/Under	Under 1.5 goals in the first half	1.19 at BetMGM

The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.

Best markets to bet on Paraguay vs. Australia

Discover below more recommended bets on Paraguay vs. Australia for this eagerly awaited clash.

🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: Paraguay or Draw & Under 2.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM

Paraguay’s defensive strength and Australia’s inconsistency suggest a low-scoring match. Therefore, combining a home win or draw with under 2.5 total goals aligns perfectly with the expected dynamics of this game.

🔥 Total Goals - Half Time: Under 0.5 - 2.08 at BetMGM

With qualification at stake, a tense opening is highly likely. Neither side will want to concede early, making a goalless first half a very plausible outcome for this crucial fixture.

Where to watch Paraguay vs. Australia?

Here is where to watch Paraguay vs. Australia live:

• TV: ITV X (Gbr), ITV 4 (Gbr)
• Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr)

Paraguay vs. Australia - Match details

Check out the match details:

• Match: Paraguay vs. Australia
• Competition: World Cup 2026
• Date: 26/06/2026
• Kick-off: 3 AM (BST)
• Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA, United States
• Broadcast: ITV 4 (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr)

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