Paraguay

Paraguay qualified as one of the Conmebol guests for the Concacaf W Gold Cup by finishing fourth in the 2022 Copa America Feminina.

What to expect

Of the four South American guest teams, Paraguay are the lease experienced in international terms, having never qualified for a World Cup and with most of their matches having been friendlies, though they are now regulars at confederation and regional competitions.

In qualification for the 2023 World Cup, Paraguay lost to Panama 1-0 in their inter-confederation play-off. They lost by the same scoreline again in a pre-W Gold Cup friendly.

Drawn in Group C, to be played at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, they will be competitively matched with Costa Rica and El Salvador but will likely find Canada are tougher proposition.

Player to watch

Paraguay’s biggest threat – and it is a big one – is striker Jessica Martínez. She plays her professional club football in Spain with FC Levante Las Planas in Liga F. Having worked her way through her country’s U-17 and U-20 teams, she has now played 23 times for the senior side, scoring 19 times.

Manager

Brazilian Antônio Carlos Bona, took charge in September 2023 from Marcello Maria Frigério, an Italian born Brazilain who had been coach since 2021.

Schedule

February 22 vs Costa Rica, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston

February 25 vs Canada, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston

February 28 vs El Salvador, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston 

Squad