Paraguay vs Australiaprediction, odds, kickoff time & how to watch: 2026 World Cup

Paraguay vs Australia is a clash of styles: South America against Asia. This is a coin-flip: our model has it 38–38 with a fat 24% draw.

Tactically, Paraguay will want to lean on counter-attacking to get at Australia, whose lack of a star forward is the obvious pressure point. Going the other way, Australia's relentless work ethic could punish Paraguay if goalscoring consistency goes unaddressed. Whoever wins that exchange likely wins the match.

Keep an eye on Antonio Sanabria (ST, Torino) and Riley McGree (AM, Middlesbrough): the two most likely to decide it with a moment of quality. By Matchday 3, qualification math is usually on the line, so expect both sides to know exactly what result they need.

Paraguay analysis → Australia analysis →