Germany vs Paraguay Preview: Predicted Lineups, Team News & Tactical Analysis | 2026 World Cup Round of 32

The knockouts are here, and Germany are the heavy favorite against a Paraguay side built to make them uncomfortable. Germany won Group E playing some of the most expansive football in the tournament, and they arrive as one of the contenders. Paraguay scraped through in third in their group on four points by doing the opposite: sitting deep, staying compact and daring opponents to break them down.

This is the matchup the bracket loves. Germany want the ball and the space to combine through Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane, while Paraguay want to clog the middle, soak pressure and spring Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron on the counter. The question that decides it: can Paraguay's mid-to-low block hold up the way it frustrated Turkey, or does Germany simply have too much?

This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, the tactical matchup and a score prediction for Monday's Round of 32 clash near Boston.

When & Where to Watch (USA)

Monday, June 29 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough (Boston)

US Coverage (English):

• TV: FOX
• Streaming: Tubi (free), FOX Sports app

US Coverage (Spanish):

• TV: Telemundo / Universo
• Streaming: Peacock

Germany vs Paraguay Lineups & Injury News

Predicted Lineups & Starting XIs

The predicted starting XIs are listed below and update automatically in the widget above as confirmed lineups drop. Lineups via RotoWire.

Predicted lineups: Germany are projected in a 4-2-3-1 under manager Julian Nagelsmann, with Kai Havertz leading the line, Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlovic screening the back four, and a front three of Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz behind the striker. Nathaniel Brown is in the projected XI at left back despite carrying a groin issue, so he is worth monitoring, and center back Nico Schlotterbeck is ruled out. Paraguay set up in a compact 4-4-2 under Gustavo Alfaro, with Julio Enciso and Gabriel Avalos up top and Andres Cubas anchoring midfield. They are without the suspended Diego Gomez, a real loss given he is one of their main set-piece and penalty takers, while center back Omar Alderete is questionable and not in the projected side.

Germany predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer (GK); Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, Nathaniel Brown (DEF); Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlovic (DM); Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz (AM); Kai Havertz (FW).

Paraguay predicted starting XI (4-4-2): Orlando Gill (GK); Juan Jose Caceres, Gustavo Gomez, Jose Canale, Junior Alonso (DEF); Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Matias Galarza, Mauricio (MID); Julio Enciso, Gabriel Avalos (FW).

Germany Lineup Notes

Nathaniel Brown is listed as questionable with a groin issue on the World Cup injury table but is currently in the projected XI at left back, so keep an eye on his status closer to kickoff. Nico Schlotterbeck is ruled out, leaving Antonio Rudiger and Jonathan Tah as the center-back pairing, and Deniz Undav remains a dangerous option off the bench after his impact in the group stage. Check RotoWire's player news for the confirmed lineup.

Julian Nagelsmann's side is the most fluid attacking team Paraguay will have faced, rotating positions and overloading central areas through Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Joshua Kimmich provides the right-sided balance, and Kai Havertz gives them a focal point. The one caveat is that Germany have looked open in transition at times, so they will want to keep their shape when committing numbers forward.

Paraguay Lineup Notes

Paraguay are without Diego Gomez, who is suspended, and that matters more than a single name usually would because he is one of their designated penalty and corner takers. Omar Alderete is listed as questionable on the World Cup injury table and is not in the projected XI, with Gustavo Gomez and Victor Velazquez the likely center-back pairing. Andres Cubas is the key man shielding the back four, with Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron the outlets going the other way. Check RotoWire's player news for the confirmed lineup.

Gustavo Alfaro will set Paraguay up to defend deep, stay compact and make the game as low-event as possible, exactly the template that took Turkey to 32 shots and almost no clear chances. The threat comes on the counter and from set pieces, where Gustavo Gomez is a genuine aerial presence. Without Diego Gomez, though, some of their dead-ball quality takes a hit.

Germany vs Paraguay Head-to-Head Record

These two have met only twice, but the relevant one is telling. Their only previous World Cup meeting came in the Round of 16 in 2002, and Germany won it 1-0 through an Oliver Neuville goal, grinding past a stubborn Paraguay side. The other meeting was a 3-3 friendly in 2013. Germany have never lost to Paraguay, though the 2002 result is a useful reminder that a disciplined Paraguay can drag a stronger team into a tight, nervy knockout.

Tactical Analysis & Formations

Germany are the most aggressive attacking team left in the bracket, and the way they move the ball through the thirds is the story. They overload central areas, rotate Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sane between the lines, and trust their full backs to push high. Against a deep block, the job is patience and quality in the final pass, and they have plenty of both. The recurring concern is what they leave behind. They have looked vulnerable in transition at points in this tournament, and they conceded off a set piece in their dead-rubber loss to Ecuador, so concentration when they lose the ball is the thing to watch.

Paraguay will not try to match Germany for possession, and they should not. Coach Gustavo Alfaro's side is at its best defending a deep, narrow block, frustrating the opposition and picking their moments to break. They took Turkey to 32 shots and gave up almost nothing of real quality, and the plan here will be similar: stay compact, force Germany wide, and trust Andres Cubas and the back four to hold firm. The threat going the other way is Julio Enciso's quality and Miguel Almiron's running in transition, plus Gustavo Gomez's aerial presence at set pieces, though losing Diego Gomez to suspension blunts that dead-ball edge.

Here is where I will push back on the easy narrative a little. Germany's transition softness is real, but it is most punishing against teams that can actually counter with numbers and finish, and Paraguay have been one of the blunter attacks in the tournament. Without Diego Gomez, and with Enciso often isolated, I am not convinced Paraguay can make Germany pay for their lapses often enough. The low block can absolutely make this awkward for an hour. Turning awkward into a result is the hard part.

Germany vs Paraguay Odds

Germany are heavy favorites here, as you would expect against a side that advanced in third and sets up to defend. The interest is less in the result market and more in whether Paraguay's low block can keep the score and the goal total down. Check current prices before kickoff, as the lines will move with team news.

Odds as of June 29 and likely to move. Shop the best lines at RotoWire's soccer betting odds page and claim bonuses using the best sportsbook promos.

Key Matchups

Germany's Creators vs Andres Cubas and the Paraguay Block

This game runs through whether Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala can find pockets between Paraguay's lines. Andres Cubas is the man tasked with protecting that space, screening the back four and stepping out to break up Germany's combinations. If Cubas and the center backs can stay compact and force Germany into wide, low-percentage entries, Paraguay have a chance to make this miserable. If Germany pull them apart centrally, it could get away from Paraguay quickly.

Julio Enciso vs Germany's Rest Defense

Paraguay's best hope of nicking a goal is on the break, and Julio Enciso is the player most likely to make it count. Germany's habit of committing numbers forward leaves room behind, and if Enciso can get isolated against Antonio Rudiger and Jonathan Tah with space to run into, that is Paraguay's path. The catch is that they need to actually win the ball and support him, which has not come easily for this attack.

Set-Piece Takers

For a full breakdown of corner, free kick and penalty takers for all 48 teams, see RotoWire's 2026 World Cup Set-Piece Takers guide.

Germany

• Corners & free kicks: Joshua Kimmich (7), Nathaniel Brown (5), Florian Wirtz (3), Leroy Sane (1), David Raum (2), Kai Havertz, Angelo Stiller, Pascal Gross
• Penalties: Kai Havertz, Joshua Kimmich

Paraguay

• Corners & free kicks: Diego Gomez (1), Julio Enciso (1), Miguel Almiron, Mauricio, Ramon Sosa
• Penalties: Julio Enciso, Miguel Almiron

Note: Diego Gomez, normally a primary corner and penalty taker for Paraguay, is suspended for this match, so those duties fall to Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron.

Germany vs Paraguay Prediction

I expect Germany to win, but I am not booking a blowout. Paraguay's low block is good enough to keep this tight for a while, and Germany's lapses in transition mean a Paraguay counter or set piece is always live. Still, Germany have far too much quality in the final third, and without Diego Gomez, Paraguay's own scoring threat is thinner than usual. I will take Germany to break them down and edge a game that stays closer than the talent gap suggests.

Score Prediction: Germany 3-1 Paraguay

Upcoming Fixtures

The winner advances to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of another Round of 32 tie in the same half of the bracket. The loser is out and goes home.

For the full tournament picture, see RotoWire's 2026 World Cup group previews.

For more coverage, visit RotoWire's World Cup hub for predicted lineups, fantasy rankings, set pieces, betting picks, odds and daily recaps throughout the tournament.