Uruguay and Paraguay: A Look at Their Chances of Reaching the 2026 World Cup
Introduction
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, up from the current 32, and will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This means that two more South American teams will qualify for the tournament than in previous years. Uruguay and Paraguay are two teams hoping to take advantage of this expansion and reach the World Cup for the first time since 2018 and 2010, respectively.
Uruguay
Uruguay is a two-time World Cup champion, having won the tournament in 1930 and 1950. However, the team has not reached the semi-finals since 2010 and has failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.
Uruguay's squad is still led by Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani, two of the best strikers in the world. However, the team is also aging, and there are concerns about whether they can still compete at the highest level.
Strengths
- Experienced squad
- Led by two of the best strikers in the world
- Strong tradition in football
Weaknesses
- Aging squad
- Lack of depth
- Recent poor form
Chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup
Uruguay is in a difficult qualifying group, but they should be considered one of the favorites to reach the World Cup. The team has a lot of experience and quality, and they will be looking to make a statement in 2026.
Paraguay
Paraguay is a one-time Copa America champion, having won the tournament in 1979. However, the team has not reached the World Cup since 2010, and they have struggled in recent years.
Paraguay's squad is led by Miguel Almiron, who plays for Newcastle United in the Premier League. Almiron is a talented player, but he has not been able to consistently produce for Paraguay.
Strengths
- Led by Miguel Almiron
- Solid defense
- Strong team spirit
Weaknesses
- Lack of firepower
- Poor recent form
- Difficult qualifying group
Chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup
Paraguay is in a difficult qualifying group, and they are not considered one of the favorites to reach the World Cup. However, the team has a good team spirit and a solid defense, and they could surprise some people in 2026.
Conclusion
The 2026 World Cup will be a wide-open tournament, and Uruguay and Paraguay will both be looking to take advantage of the expanded format. Uruguay is the more likely of the two teams to reach the World Cup, but Paraguay could surprise some people if they can find some consistency.
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