Coach: Gerardo Martino
Key Player: Haedo Valdez
World Cup Record: Seven appearances
World Ranking: 30
Group F Schedule:
14 June – Italy v Paraguay
19 June – Slovakia v Paraguay
24 June – Paraguay v New Zealand
The loss of Salvador Cabanas, recovering after being shot in the head in an argument in a Mexico City bar in January, might affect Paraguay's chances.
Coach Martino has a policy of calling up naturalised players, with four Argentine-born men in his provisional 30-man squad.
The Borussia Dortmund strike pair of Nelson Haedo Valdez and Lucas Barrios are the focal point of their attack.
Fellow striker Oscar Cardozo has been in fine scoring form for Benfica, while Roque Santa Cruz stands out for his experience.
Final Squad:
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Real Valladolid), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno)
Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland), Claudio Morel (Boca Juniors), Julio Cesar Caceres (Atletico Mineiro), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Dario Veron (Pumas UNAM), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo), Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan Athletic)
Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (Atalanta), Cristian Riveros (Sunderland), Jonathan Santana (VfL Wolfsburg), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors)
Forwards: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Nelson Haedo Valdez, Lucas Barrios (both Borussia Dortmund), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad)
