Germany will face Paraguay in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, June 29, at Boston Stadium. The match kicks off at 9:30pm BST and will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Germany's Road to the Knockouts
Germany topped Group E after a 7-1 win over debutants Curacao and a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Ivory Coast. However, a 2-1 loss to Ecuador in their final group match has raised concerns. This is Germany's first knockout game since they won the tournament in 2014, having been eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and 2022.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann is expected to persist with Kai Havertz up front, supported by Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz. Deniz Undav, who scored twice off the bench against Ivory Coast, remains a key attacking option. In defence, Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out with an ankle injury, so Antonio Rudiger or Malick Thiaw could replace him.
Paraguay's Journey
Paraguay qualified as the seventh-best third-place finisher after a 4-1 loss to co-hosts USA, a 1-0 win over Turkey, and a goalless draw with Australia. This is their first World Cup appearance since 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual winners Spain.
Coach Gustavo Alfaro will rely on a defensive setup led by Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderete. Miguel Almiron returns after serving a red-card suspension, providing a significant boost to Paraguay's attack.
Prediction and Odds
Germany are heavy favourites, with odds of 2/7 to win, while Paraguay are priced at 15/2. The draw is offered at 16/5. A tight match is expected, but Germany's attacking depth should see them through with a 1-0 victory.
Head-to-Head Record
Germany and Paraguay have met once in the World Cup, in 2002, when Germany won 1-0 in the round of 16. Overall, each team has one win in two meetings.
