Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Estadio Defensores del Chaco will host Friday’s World Cup qualifier between Paraguay and Uruguay, the two teams that are level on points in the standings. La Albirroja are on the right track to secure their spot at the next year’s showpiece tournament, but boss Gustavo Alfaro must warn his men against complacency. As always, a man to watch in the home team will be Newcastle United ace Miguel Almiron, while Liga de Quito forward Alex Arce has been ruled out with injury.
La Celeste, on the other hand, aim to put an end to their three-game winless run in the process. Both Uruguay and Paraguay, though, should be satisfied with one point from Friday’s clash and that is the main reason why we are going to place our bets on draw. Both Fede Valverde and Darwin Nunez are pushing for a start after coming from the bench in a goalless draw with Bolivia, while Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur serves a one-game ban. Flamengo midfielder Nicolas de la Cruz misses out with injury.
Highlighted Team (Uruguay):

La Celeste are one of the most successful South American nations. Uruguay are frequently the champions of the continent having most recently won the tournament in 2011. They have won the Copa America a record 15 times including the first ever edition of the competition in 1916, while the team has also won FIFA World Cup in two occasions including the inaugural competition in 1930 when they defeated Argentina 4-2 in the final as hosts.
Their second World Cup title came in 1950 when Uruguay and Brazil played a legendary match which recorded a higher attendance than any other football match in the history of the game. Uruguay is the smallest country in the world to have won a World Cup by population, but La Celeste are proud of their football heritage which yielded some of the best footballers in the world over the course of history.
Most notable player of the current selection is Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, who is also the team’s top scorer with 45 goals to his name.