Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Socceroos vs Paraguay has taken on extra edge before Friday’s World Cup group clash, with Paraguay still angry over Miguel Almiron’s suspension and Australia preparing for a tense qualification battle.
Australia men’s national football team can still reach the knockout stage regardless of the result, while Paraguay national football team must win to secure second place and automatic qualification. The match matters because the loser may need other results to fall their way to progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
For more World Cup knockout coverage, read Daniel Munoz Sends Colombia Into World Cup Knockouts With Winner Against DR Congo, while official tournament updates are available through the FIFA World Cup 2026 page.
Paraguay Still Fuming Over Almiron Red Card
Almiron will miss the Socceroos clash after becoming the first player sent off under FIFA’s new rule for covering his mouth during a confrontation with an opponent.
“The fear I have is that football loses its essence,” Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said post-game. “Let’s not become slaves to the rulebook.”
“He was in a lot of pain because he felt that, for a player of his experience, those things can’t happen,” he said of Almiron.
“But it happened. That’s it. We’re here to support him, to carry him, to push him.”
FIFA has also stripped Paraguayan commentator Jorge Chipi Vera of his World Cup accreditation after he criticised match officials during Paraguay’s win over Turkey.
“During the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkey, I had an outburst,” Vera said in his apology.
“In the midst of my frustration over the expulsion of a player from my country, and feeling that my national team was being harmed, I used offensive and unacceptable expressions against the referee, FIFA, and its authorities.”
Australia Prepare For Heated Test
Paraguay defender Omar Alderete said his side had moved on and was focused only on Australia.
“We know how they play, and I think it will also be a difficult match for them,” he told reporters.
“We’ve already turned the page; we did what we had to do against Turkey to move on, and now I think we only have to think about Australia.
“It’s clear that it’s not easy for any team to advance to the next round, it’s complicated, it’s not easy; and we have to approach every match the same way.”
