Germany vs Paraguay Preview: Lineups, Prediction, Kickoff Time and Tactical Analysis

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer

Defenders: Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, Nathaniel Brown

Defensive Midfielders: Felix Nmecha, Aleksandar Pavlović

Attacking Midfielders: Leroy Sané, Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz

Forward: Deniz Undav

Team Note: Germany line up in a fluid 4-2-3-1, with Havertz and Wirtz expected to rotate between central pockets while Sané attacks space from the right. Neuer’s experience and leadership will be crucial behind a defence missing Schlotterbeck.

Goalkeeper: Orlando Gill

Defenders: Juan José Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, José Canale, Júnior Alonso

Midfielders: Miguel Almirón, Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas, Matías Galarza

Forwards: Julio Enciso, Gabriel Ávalos

Team Note: Paraguay are expected to defend in a narrow, compact shape, often dropping into a 4-5-1 without the ball to block central passing lanes and frustrate Germany’s creators.

🧤 Goalkeeper

Manuel Neuer brings elite experience and command to Germany’s back line. His record-breaking 23rd World Cup appearance adds a historic subplot, but his sweeping and distribution will matter just as much against Paraguay’s direct counters.

🛡️ Defence

Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah and Nathaniel Brown give Germany a strong defensive base, but the absence of Nico Schlotterbeck weakens their centre-back depth. Germany’s defensive line must stay alert to Julio Enciso’s movement and Paraguay’s quick balls into space.

⚙️ Midfield

Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlović will be tasked with controlling possession and preventing counter-attacks before they reach dangerous zones. Their ability to recover second balls will be vital because Paraguay will look to disrupt rhythm rather than dominate possession.

⚡ Attack

Leroy Sané, Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Deniz Undav give Germany multiple ways to break down a low block. Wirtz can create between the lines, Havertz can overload central areas, Sané offers direct pace, and Undav provides penalty-box sharpness after an impressive group stage.

🧤 Goalkeeper

Orlando Gill is likely to face sustained pressure from Germany’s attacking unit. His shot-stopping, handling from crosses and calmness during long spells without the ball could decide how long Paraguay remain in the contest.

🛡️ Defence

Juan José Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, José Canale and Júnior Alonso must stay compact and aggressive. Gustavo Gómez’s leadership will be central to Paraguay’s plan, especially when Germany rotate Havertz and Wirtz into pockets around the box.

⚙️ Midfield

Miguel Almirón, Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas and Matías Galarza must protect the back line and reduce the space available to Wirtz. Diego Gómez’s suspension is a major setback because it removes one of Paraguay’s more important set-piece and penalty-area threats.

⚡ Attack

Julio Enciso and Gabriel Ávalos will have limited chances but must be ruthless when openings arrive. Enciso’s ability to carry the ball in transition could be Paraguay’s best route to unsettle Germany.

Germany’s central overloads: Havertz and Wirtz will look to receive between Paraguay’s midfield and defensive lines. If Paraguay fail to close those pockets, Germany can create repeated chances around the box.

Sané vs Alonso: Leroy Sané’s pace and direct running could stretch Paraguay’s left side, forcing Júnior Alonso into a difficult defensive battle.

Paraguay’s low block: Gustavo Alfaro’s side will likely defend deep, narrow the pitch and invite Germany to cross rather than pass through central areas.

Transition danger: Germany’s weakness is counter-attacking exposure. Paraguay will target quick releases to Enciso and Almirón whenever Germany lose the ball high up the pitch.

Germany: Germany opened with a statement 7-1 win over Curaçao, followed it with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, but showed defensive vulnerability in a 1-2 defeat to Ecuador. Their 10 goals made them one of the most dangerous attacking teams of the group stage.

Paraguay: Paraguay’s route was built on recovery and resilience. After losing 1-4 to the USA, they earned a 1-1 draw and then beat Turkey 1-0 to advance as the seventh-best third-placed team.

Germany hold a historical technical edge over Paraguay, but the matchup has not always been one-sided. Their only previous FIFA World Cup meeting came in the 2002 Round of 16, when Germany won 1-0 through Oliver Neuville’s late 88th-minute goal.

Across three modern-era competitive and friendly meetings, the record is balanced: Germany have one win, Paraguay have one win, and one match ended in a high-scoring 3-3 draw.

That 2002 precedent will give Paraguay belief. Germany were favourites then too, but needed a late goal to break down Paraguay’s resistance.

⭐ Florian Wirtz: Germany’s key creative player between the lines. His movement and passing can unlock Paraguay’s low block.

⭐ Deniz Undav: Starts up front after a strong group stage and gives Germany a sharp penalty-box presence.

⭐ Kai Havertz: Offers tactical flexibility, aerial threat and clever positioning around the striker.

⭐ Manuel Neuer: Set for a record-breaking 23rd World Cup appearance and vital to Germany’s defensive control.

⭐ Julio Enciso: Paraguay’s most dangerous attacking outlet, especially in transition.

⭐ Gustavo Gómez: Paraguay’s defensive leader and the key figure in organising the low block.

⭐ Miguel Almirón: His work rate and counter-attacking speed could give Paraguay an outlet under pressure.

Germany are strongly favoured because of their squad depth, goal threat and superior creativity. Paraguay’s compact defensive setup can make the early stages frustrating, but the longer Germany sustain pressure, the more difficult it becomes for Alfaro’s side to keep the box protected.

Most scoreline projections lean toward a Germany 2-0 or 2-1 win. Paraguay can stay in the game through defensive discipline, but their limited chance creation makes an upset difficult unless Germany make major transition errors.