Paraguay Qualifies for 2026 FIFA World Cup with Draw Against Ecuador

Goalless draw secures paraguay's spot in 2026 FIFA World Cup

Read about Paraguay's historic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw against Ecuador.

The first half saw a relatively quiet period in play, punctuated by Nilson Angulo's first-time strike that flew...

Paraguay Secures World Cup Spot with Goalless Draw Against Ecuador

Paraguay has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their first appearance in the tournament in 16 years. The team secured their spot with a goalless draw against Ecuador at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco. This result ensures Paraguay's participation in the World Cup, joining Ecuador in the tournament.

Despite already securing their spot in the finals, the visitors, Ecuador, came out strong, firing off their first shot just four minutes into the game. Enner Valencia's effort was blocked, setting the tone for an intense match.

The game heated up around the 12-minute mark when Ecuador's goalkeeper, Hernán Galíndez, made a crucial save on Ramón Sosa's powerful strike. The duel between Galíndez and Sosa continued shortly after, with the goalkeeper making an even more spectacular save to deny Sosa's one-on-one attempt.

The first half saw a relatively quiet period in play, punctuated by Nilson Angulo's first-time strike that flew straight into the hands of Gatito Fernandez on the stroke of the half-hour mark. This effort was a rare moment of note in an otherwise subdued 45 minutes.

The second half began similarly, with a slow pace that was almost broken in the 67th minute. Andres Cubas took aim from a distance, and his effort seemed destined to beat Galindez. However, the crossbar intervened, denying Ecuador's goalkeeper from conceding and preserving the goalless draw.

¡Vy’apavẽ @Albirroja! 🇵🇾

¡La selección de Gustavo Alfaro dice presente en la #CopaMundialFIFA 2026! 🇺🇸🇲🇽🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/XWp8JIIk9y

— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) September 5, 2025

The match between Paraguay and Ecuador ended in a goalless draw, with neither team able to make a breakthrough despite substitutions from both sides. This result mirrored their previous encounter in the World Cup qualifiers. Paraguay's inability to secure a win denied them a sixth consecutive success on home soil in qualification.

However, the draw was enough for Paraguay to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their return to the tournament for the first time since 2010. This achievement will likely overshadow any disappointment from not securing a win, as Gustavo Alfaro's side joins other qualified teams from South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Ecuador.

Paraguay's qualification is a significant milestone for the country's football team, demonstrating their resilience and tactical discipline under Alfaro's guidance. With talented players like Miguel Almirón, Antonio Sanabria, and Julio Enciso, Paraguay will be looking to make an impact in the World Cup.

Ecuador has slipped to fourth position in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualification standings. However, this change in ranking doesn't significantly impact their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they have already secured a spot in the tournament. With 26 points from 17 matches, Ecuador sits comfortably in the top six, which guarantees direct qualification for the World Cup.

Historic Achievement for Paraguay

The goalless draw against Ecuador was enough for Paraguay to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the team, ending a 16-year wait for World Cup qualification. Paraguay currently sits in fifth place in the CONMEBOL qualification table but has a six-point lead over Venezuela, who are in seventh place.

Ecuador's Qualification Chances

Ecuador, who have already qualified for the World Cup, showed resilience in the match, maintaining their unbeaten streak. With 19 points from 12 matches, Ecuador sits third in the CONMEBOL standings. Their qualification chances looked promising, and they are expected to finish in the top three.

2026 FIFA World Cup Teams

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, with 13 already qualified, including:

Hosts:

• United States
• Mexico
• Canada

Qualified Teams:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Ecuador
• Japan
• Iran
• South Korea
• Uzbekistan
• New Zealand
• Jordan
• Australia