World Cup 2026: Omar Alderete and Diego Gomez in Paraguay squad

Sunderland's Omar Alderete and Brighton's Diego Gomez have been named in Paraguay's squad for the World Cup.

Atlanta's former Newcastle United attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron is also named in the 26-man party.

Midfielder Gomez's former Brighton team-mate Julio Enciso, now at Strasbourg, is included too, as is Gustavo Caballero from Championship side Portsmouth.

Paraguay qualified after finishing in the sixth and final Conmebol automatic qualification berth.

The World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and begins on 11 June.

Paraguay, who are in Group D and are making their first World Cup appearance since 2010, start their campaign with against co-hosts the USA (13 June, 02:00 BST) before facing Turkey and Australia.

Goalkeepers: Roberto Junior Fernandez (Cerro Porteno), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo), Gaston Olveira (Olimpia).

Defenders: Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Junior Alonso (Atletico Mineiro), Fabian Balbuena (Gremio), Juan Jose Caceres (Dinamo Moscow), Jose Canale (Lanus), Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres), Gustavo Velazquez (Cerro Porteno).

Midfielders: Damian Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Matias Galarza (Atlanta United), Diego Gomez (Brighton), Mauricio Magalhaes (Palmeiras), Briaian 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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