Four-time champions Germany will face the South Americans in a fascinating last-32 duel in Boston.
Round of 32
Tuesday, 30 June | Boston Stadium
Kick-off time
04:30 (GMT+8)
The match
An intriguing battle is in store when Germany take on Paraguay in Boston. Germany progressed to the knockouts as section winners and will enter the match as favourites. They were beaten by South American opposition in their final group game, however, with Ecuador coming from behind to clinch a shock 2-1 victory. Paraguay, meanwhile, qualified as one the best third-place sides. Their standout performance in the group phase was a 1-0 win over Türkiye, which was earned despite playing the entire second half with ten men.
Germany will be without Nico Schlotterbeck for the tie. The defender will miss the remainder of the tournament with an ankle injury. Paraguay midfielder Diego Gomez is suspended after receiving two yellow cards during the group fixtures, but Miguel Almiron is available after serving a one-game ban.
Possible Germany starting XI
Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Possible Paraguay starting XI
Gill; Caceres, Velazquez, Gustavo Gomez, Canale, Maidana; Pitta, Cubas, Galarza; Enciso, Avalos
Previous World Cup meetings
The teams have met once before at World Cup, with Germany edging a 1-0 victory in the Round of 16 at Korea/Japan 2002. Oliver Neuville was the match-winner for the European giants, who went on to finish runners-up at the tournament.
Boston Stadium
Boston Stadium, which is home to MLS side New England Revolution and NFL outfit New England Patriots, underwent huge renovations in order to be ready for World Cup 2026. Now complete with a 22,000-square-foot video board and a 22-story lighthouse, the venue has been a spectacular stage for World Cup 2026 matches.