Paraguay and Australia meet on June 25, 2026, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in a key Group D match. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. local time, 10:00 p.m. ET, with FOX carrying the game in the United States. In the UK, rights are shared by the BBC and ITV, while beIN Sports holds coverage across the Arab world.
Match Preview
This is the final Group D game for both teams, and the margin for error looks small. FIFA lists the match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, with a 19:00 UTC posting on June 25, while local listings place it at 7:00 p.m. in the Bay Area. The venue is Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, just outside San Francisco.
Paraguay enters this contest with a clear defensive identity. Sports Illustrated expects Gustavo Gómez and Omar Alderete to anchor the back line, with Juan José Cáceres and Júnior Alonso on the flanks. The same preview points to Andrés Cubas and Damián Bobadilla as the midfield shield, with Miguel Almirón, Diego Gómez, Julio Enciso, and Antonio Sanabria leading the attack.
Australia should arrive with confidence too. The Socceroos have already announced their 26-man World Cup roster under head coach Tony Popovic. This match also carries extra weight because it is their last group fixture. That usually sharpens details, especially set pieces, second balls, and game management.
Paraguay may control more duels in central areas. Australia may threaten more in transition and aerial moments. That contrast should shape the rhythm.
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Predicted lineups
These lineups are editorial projections. Paraguay’s expected structure matches the core outlined in the latest team preview.
Key Players to Watch
Miguel Almirón remains Paraguay’s main accelerator between the lines. Julio Enciso gives them unpredictability, while Diego Gómez can connect midfield and attack with direct running. If Sanabria pins the center-backs, Paraguay can play higher and sustain pressure.
Gustavo Gómez could be Paraguay’s most important player overall. He sets the tone physically and organizes the line in front of goal. Omar Alderete’s partnership with him is one of the foundations of this team.
For Australia, Mat Ryan’s experience matters in tight tournament games. Harry Souttar can dominate set pieces at both ends, and Martin Boyle can stretch defenses quickly. Mitch Duke remains a useful focal point when Australia goes direct.
This match may be decided by one duel. Enciso against Australia’s right side is one area to watch. Souttar against Sanabria is another.
Head-to-Head Record
Paraguay has never beaten Australia in this fixture. The record across five previous meetings stands at three draws and two Australia wins. That means Thursday’s game will be the sixth encounter between the nations.
The history also suggests a low-margin game. Three of those five meetings were draws, including two 0-0 friendlies in June 2000 and a 1-1 draw in 2006. Australia won the most recent meeting 1-0 in October 2010.
History does not decide World Cup matches. Still, it does show how rarely these sides give each other space. That trend fits the current betting markets.
Prediction & Odds
The bookmakers see Paraguay as a slight favorite. Ladbrokes lists Paraguay at 11/10, with the draw and Australia both at 9/4. Total-goals markets lean toward a low-scoring game, with under 2.5 goals around -160 to -165.
Other market models also show a narrow edge for Paraguay. One prediction market prices Paraguay at 43 percent, the draw at 30 percent, and Australia at 27 percent. Robinhood’s event market shows a similar shape, with Paraguay at 46 cents, the tie at 30 cents, and Australia at 27 cents.
That pricing makes sense. Paraguay looks a little more settled defensively. Australia looks dangerous enough to keep this close until the final minutes.
INFO SPORT prediction: Paraguay 1-0 Australia. A draw would not be surprising, but Paraguay’s defensive balance gives them a slight edge.
Odds can change close to kickoff. Always check your bookmaker before placing a wager.
How to Watch
The official FIFA match listing confirms the date and venue, while FOX’s match page gives the clearest U.S. kickoff details. UK rights are shared between the BBC and ITV, and beIN Sports holds the World Cup rights in the Arab world. Final regional channel assignments can still vary by network schedule.
For fans in San Francisco, the local start is 7:00 p.m. on June 25. For viewers in Australia, media listings place kickoff at 12:00 p.m. AEST on June 26.
