The World Cup Round of 16 match between Germany and Paraguay will begin on June 29, 2026 at 4:30 pm IST and 9:30 pm GMT.
Preview of the 1/16 finals of the World Cup Germany – Paraguay
An unpredictable and dangerous German team will take on Paraguay, who made it to the round of 16 despite a mixed group performance. What can we expect from this clash in Boston, Massachusetts?
How did Germany and Paraguay get here?
Germany ended the group stage with a surprise defeat to Ecuador, but it was an academic defeat as they had already cemented their group with a 7-1 win over Curacao and a stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast thanks to the heroics of substitute Denise Undava.
Paraguay got off to a terrible start to the tournament with a 4-1 defeat to hosts USA but they bounced back to claim a narrow 1-0 win over a disappointing Turkish team that had promised so much. A dismal 0-0 draw against Australia was enough to send the Paraguayans through to the round of 16. Germany will be favorites here, with the winners meeting the winners of the France-Sweden match on July 4.
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Various threats to Germany
Die Mannschaft scored 10 goals in the tournament, scored by seven different players, which shows how Julian Nagelsmann’s side can hurt you from anywhere in the world. Stuttgart striker Deniz Undave, a little late, scored three such goals despite not yet starting. His influence as a super sub could be crucial as he plays second fiddle to Arsenal’s Kai Havertz.
READ MORE:Nagelsmann backs Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz’s misfires
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Attack vs stubborn defense
Nagelsmann’s Germany boast a formidable front four capable of interchanging at will. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz like to occupy central spots behind centre-forward Havertz, so they face the challenge of not stepping on each other’s toes in a congested final third. They are likely to face a tough test against a narrow 4-5-1 formation as Gustafo Alvaro’s Paraguayan side look to upset their more prominent opponents. With two clean sheets in their last two matches, Paraguay’s plan is clear.
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Injury and suspension news
Germany centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck damaged knee ligaments against Ivory Coast and will not play in the tournament again. Antonio Rudiger will deputize for the 26-year-old, while left-back Nathaniel Brown is a slight injury doubt. Former Newcastle star Miguel Almiron was sent off against Turkey and will not play a role here for Paraguay.
READ MORE:England and Spain’s 2026 World Cup power rankings are moving in opposite directions
Probably Germany XI
Newer; Kimmich, Tach, Rüdiger, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovich; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz.
Probably Paraguay XI
Jill; Caceres, Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Gomez, Cubas, Galarza, Bobadilla; Enciso, Sanabria.
Germany team of 26 people.
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malik Thiau (Newcastle United”)
Midfielders: Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jamie Leveling (Stuttgart), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Alexander Pavlovich (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool).
Forwards: Maximilian Bayer (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Denise Undave (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United).
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Paraguay team of 26 people.
Goalkeepers: Roberto Junior Fernandez (Cerro Porteño), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo), Gaston Oliveira (Olympia).
Defenders: Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Junior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro), Fabian Balbuena (Gremio), Juan José Caceres (Dynamo Moscow), José Canale (Lanús), Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres), Gustavo Velazquez (Cerro Porteño).
Midfielders: Damian Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Matias Galarza (Atlanta United), Diego Gomez (Brighton), Mauricio Magalhães (Palmeiras), Brian Ojeda (Orlando City), Alejandro Romero (Al Ain).
Forwards: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Gabriel Avalos (Independiente), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Isidro Pitta (Bragantino), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese), Ramon Sosa (Palmeiras).
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Team news and rosters
Germany
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Julian Nagelsmann will lead Germany in this match, but there are no confirmed injuries or suspensions at this time. The possible composition has not been disclosed. Updates will be added closer to the start as selection news becomes available.
Paraguay’s coaching staff have not been confirmed in the available data, nor have any injuries, suspensions or possible squad details for this match been released. Further team news will follow as the match approaches.
Injuries and suspended players
Form
Goal scored (missed)16/5Games with a total of more than 2.5 goals5/5Both teams scored4/5Goals scored (missed)7/6Games with a total of more than 2.5 goals3/5Both teams scored2/5
Germany enter the round of 16 with a mixed recent record of three wins and one loss from their last four competitive matches. Their last result was a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador on June 25, ending their streak of consecutive victories. Previously, they had beaten Ivory Coast (2–1) and Curaçao (7–1) in the group stage, and also defeated the United States 1–2 in a pre-tournament friendly on June 6. They also beat Finland 4–0 in their last warm-up match in May.
Paraguay’s last five matches have included two wins, one draw and two losses. Their last match was a 0–0 draw with Australia on 26 June, which secured their place in the play-offs as a third-place wildcard. Previously, they beat Turkey 1-0 on June 20 and lost to the United States 4-1 on June 13. They beat Nicaragua 4-0 in pre-tournament friendlies but lost 2-1 to Morocco in March.
Head-to-head record
Matches with a total of more than 2.5 goals1/2Both teams scored1/2
In available reports, both teams met twice and goals were scored in both matches. The last friendly match took place on 14 August 2013 and ended with a score of 3–3. Previously, Germany beat Paraguay 1-0 in a World Cup group stage match on June 15, 2002. Germany achieved their only complete victory in two meetings, with one draw.
Tournament table
Germany finished first in Group E, while Paraguay emerged from Group D in third place.