PARAGUAY HOSTS CHILE IN CRUCIAL QUALIFYING MATCH FOR WORLD CUP 2026
The two teams face off in a match that could determine their prospects for qualification in the upcoming tournament.
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Paraguay will face Chile in a pivotal match in the Conmebol qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Scheduled to take place at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Asunción, this matchup is critical for both teams as they continue their quest for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
In their last outing, Paraguay drew 2-2 against Bolivia, with goals from key players Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso, though the match also saw Diego Gómez receive a red card, complicating their lineup for this crucial game. Currently, Paraguay stands sixth in the qualifying standings with 17 points, just one point behind fifth-placed Brazil and two behind Colombia, which sits fourth. This makes the upcoming match against Chile essential, as a victory could significantly improve their standings.
Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay’s coach, emphasized the importance of the match during a recent press conference, stating, “The match against Chile is like a final. We have much at stake.” Since taking charge in August, Alfaro has led Paraguay to an impressive streak, remaining undefeated in six matches, including a notable triumph against former World Cup champions, Argentina.
However, the absence of two key players presents a challenge; Gustavo Gómez is out due to injury, and Diego Gómez is suspended. In their places, Fabián Balbuena is expected to strengthen the defense, while Damián Bobadilla could step into the midfield role. Fans will be closely watching the attacking duo of Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria, as they have shown great effectiveness in recent games.
On the other hand, Chile is fighting for survival. Currently sitting in second to last place with only nine points and having won just two of their twelve matches, Chile faces a must-win situation. A loss would jeopardize their chances of qualifying for their third consecutive World Cup. Their recent performance included a 4-2 victory over Venezuela, showing that the team is capable of turning its fortunes around.
Ricardo Gareca, the Chilean coach, is aware of the stakes involved and has kept his team's morale high. He commented, “The team is mentally strong to face whatever comes our way.” Nevertheless, he has expressed uncertainty regarding his attacking arrangements and has experimented with several players, trying to find the right mix. Eduardo Vargas is expected to lead the attack as their primary forward.
Chile has also seen the return of seasoned players like Charles Aránguiz and Fernando Zampedri, bolstering their squad at a crucial time as they aim to overcome adversities in their campaign. Despite the pressure, Gareca remains optimistic about the team’s chances as they prepare for this crucial encounter.
Individuals interested in watching the match will find it available for live broadcasting across various platforms. In Latin America, FIFA+ will show the match, with different networks handling the broadcast in respective countries. In Spain, the match will be on Movistar+, while in Argentina, viewers can watch it on TV Pública and TyC Sports. The broadcast options extend to Claro Sports 2 in Colombia and all the way to SporTV2 in Brazil.
Importantly, no broadcast will be available in Mexico for this fixture due to exclusive rights. In the United States, Fanatiz PPV will stream the match live.
As excitement builds for this pivotal clash, the atmosphere at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco is expected to be electric. With both teams aware of the importance of securing a win, fans are in for a thrilling encounter.
This match not only has implications for the standings but also resonates deeply with the history and pride of these two footballing nations. As Paraguay looks to solidify their chances for qualification, Chile fights to keep their hopes alive. The world will be watching as they face off for a spot in the 2026 World Cup hosted in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
