World Cup 2026: Germany’s 4-2-3-1 faces Paraguay’s 4-5-1 in Boston

Germany and Paraguay have named their lineups for their 2026 World Cup knockout match in Boston, with Julian Nagelsmann’s 4-2-3-1 set to face Gustavo Alfaro’s compact 4-5-1.

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Illustration du match Allemagne VS Paraguay, le 29/06/2026 21:30, stade Boston Stadium
Illustration du match Allemagne VS Paraguay, le 29/06/2026 21:30, stade Boston Stadium
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SUMMARY

The official lineups for the 2026 World Cup round-of-16 match between Germany and Paraguay are now known. This clash will take place on June 29, 2026 at 21:30 GMT+1 at the Boston stadium. The stakes are crucial — a place in the quarter-finals, pitting Julian Nagelsmann’s robust and attack-minded XI against an organized and cautious Paraguay side under Gustavo Alfaro.

Germany will line up in a 4-2-3-1, combining a solid defense with an attacking setup rich in creativity. Paraguay have opted for a compact 4-5-1, relying on a packed midfield to contain and counterattack. These tactical choices point to a confrontation between possession and defensive impact.

This match marks an important stage after group phases in which neither Germany nor Paraguay have yet faced each other in this competition, making the duel even more open and uncertain. This last-32 tie will be an opportunity for the major individual talents on both sides to make their mark.

Julian Nagelsmann starts Manuel Neuer in goal, protected by a defensive line made up of Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah and Nathaniel Brown, despite the latter being unavailable through injury. The double pivot in midfield pairs Felix Nmecha with Aleksandar Pavlović, while the attacking play is built around Leroy Sané, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz. Deniz Undav leads the line alone.

Reading Germany’s XI

The Germany coach has chosen a classic but effective 4-2-3-1 system. Joshua Kimmich, usually a midfielder, starts at right-back, bringing both defensive experience and distribution skills. Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah form the heart of central defense, supported on the left by Nathaniel Brown, who is ruled out tonight. The Nmecha-Pavlović double screen provides balance and ball-winning ability.

In support, Sané and Wirtz exploit the wings in this dynamic phase, while Havertz plays an advanced playmaker role. Striker Deniz Undav will be their main attacking focal point. Several substitutes, including Jamal Musiala and Leon Goretzka, could come on in the second half depending on how the match develops.

Reading Paraguay’s XI

For his part, Gustavo Alfaro has opted for a very compact 4-5-1. Orlando Gill starts in goal behind a defense made up of Juan Cáceres, captain Gustavo Gómez, José Canale and Júnior Alonso. The midfield sector is dense, with Andrés Cubas, Miguel Almirón, Damián Bobadilla, Matías Galarza and Julio Enciso providing both attacking and defensive support.

Up front, Gabriel Ávalos will be tasked with using his power and eye for goal to unlock the match. Paraguay are counting on a solid and disciplined block to counter Germany’s aggression and launch quick counterattacks through their mobile midfielders.

The starting XIs

Germany
Formation4-2-3-1CoachJulian Nagelsmann
Starters11
  1. 1 Manuel Neuer Goalkeeper
  2. 6 Joshua Kimmich Defender
  3. 2 Antonio Rüdiger Defender
  4. 4 Jonathan Tah Defender
  5. 18 Nathaniel Brown Defender
  6. 23 Felix Nmecha Midfielder
  7. 5 Aleksandar Pavlović Midfielder
  8. 19 Leroy Sané Midfielder
  9. 7 Kai Havertz Forward
  10. 17 Florian Wirtz Midfielder
  11. 26 Deniz Undav Midfielder
Substitutes14
  • 21 Alexander Nübel
  • 12 Oliver Baumann
  • 22 David Raum
  • 3 Waldemar Anton
  • 24 Malick Thiaw
  • 13 Pascal Groß
  • 16 Angelo Stiller
  • 25 Assan Ouédraogo
  • 10 Jamal Musiala
  • 9 Jamie Leweling
  • 8 Leon Goretzka
  • 20 Nadiem Amiri
  • 11 Nick Woltemade
  • 14 Maximilian Beier
Paraguay
Formation4-5-1CoachGustavo Alfaro
Starters11
  1. 12 Orlando Gill Goalkeeper
  2. 4 Juan Cáceres Defender
  3. 15 Gustavo Gómez Defender
  4. 13 José Canale Defender
  5. 6 Junior Alonso Defender
  6. 10 Miguel Almirón Midfielder
  7. 16 Damián Bobadilla Midfielder
  8. 14 Andrés Cubas Midfielder
  9. 23 Matías Galarza Midfielder
  10. 19 Julio Enciso Midfielder
  11. 21 Gabriel Ávalos Forward
Substitutes14
  • 22 Gastón Olveira
  • 1 Roberto Fernández
  • 2 Gustavo Velázquez
  • 15 Omar Alderete
  • 5 Fabián Balbuena
  • 26 Alexandro Maidana
  • 11 Mauricio
  • 20 Braian Ojeda
  • 24 Gustavo Caballero
  • 17 Alejandro Romero
  • 7 Ramón Sosa
  • 9 Antonio Sanabria
  • 18 Alex Arce
  • 25 Isidro Pitta
Germany
Penalties finished Gillette Stadium
Paraguay
29/06/2026 21:30 Round of 32 90 min 1-1 Pens 3-4
Fil du match
  1. 42'But - J. Enciso (passe M. Galarza)Paraguay, 42e
  2. 46'Remplacement - F. Nmecha (remplace L. Goretzka)Allemagne, 46e
  3. 54'But - K. Havertz (passe F. Wirtz)Allemagne, 54e
  4. 55'Remplacement - G. Avalos (remplace G. Caballero)Paraguay, 55e
  5. 57'Remplacement - J. Enciso (remplace Mauricio)Paraguay, 57e
  6. 63'Remplacement - D. Undav (remplace J. Musiala)Allemagne, 63e
  7. 65'Carton jaune - A. CubasParaguay, 65e
  8. 79'Remplacement - A. Pavlovic (remplace W. Anton)Allemagne, 79e
  9. 88'Remplacement - L. Sane (remplace N. Woltemade)Allemagne, 88e
  10. 91'Remplacement - M. Almiron (remplace G. Velazquez)Paraguay, 91e
  11. 99'Remplacement - J. Caceres (remplace B. Ojeda)Paraguay, 99e
  12. 99'Remplacement - D. Bobadilla (remplace A. Sanabria)Paraguay, 99e
  13. 102'VAR - J. TahAllemagne, 102e
  14. 105'Carton jaune - G. AlfaroParaguay, 105e
  15. 105+1'Carton jaune - J. NagelsmannAllemagne, 105+1e
  16. 106'Carton jaune - K. HavertzAllemagne, 106e
  17. 110'Remplacement - F. Wirtz (remplace N. Amiri)Allemagne, 110e
  18. 110'Remplacement - A. Rudiger (remplace M. Thiaw)Allemagne, 110e
  19. 115'Carton jaune - J. MusialaAllemagne, 115e
  20. 117'Carton jaune - M. GalarzaParaguay, 117e
  21. 120+2'Remplacement - J. Alonso (remplace Fabian Balbuena)Paraguay, 120+2e
  22. 120+1'But - MauricioParaguay, 120+1e
  23. 120+2'But - J. KimmichAllemagne, 120+2e
  24. 120+2'But - G. GomezParaguay, 120+2e
  25. 120+3'But - J. MusialaAllemagne, 120+3e
  26. 120+3'But - M. GalarzaParaguay, 120+3e
  27. 120+5'But - N. AmiriAllemagne, 120+5e
  28. 120+6'But - J. CanaleParaguay, 120+6e
Round of 32 schedule
Round of 32
South Africa
Finished SoFi Stadium
Canada
Round of 32
Brazil
Finished NRG Stadium
Japan
Round of 32
Germany
Penalties finished Gillette Stadium
Paraguay
Round of 32
Netherlands
Penalties finished Estadio BBVA
Morocco
Round of 32
Ivory Coast
Finished AT&T Stadium
Norway
Round of 32
France
Finished MetLife Stadium
Sweden
Round of 32
Mexico
Finished Estadio Banorte
Ecuador
Round of 32
England
Finished Mercedes-Benz Stadium
DR Congo
Round of 32
Belgium
After extra time Lumen Field
Senegal
Round of 32
United States
Finished Levi's Stadium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Round of 32
Spain
Finished SoFi Stadium
Austria
Round of 32
Portugal
Finished BMO Field
Croatia
Round of 32
Switzerland
Finished BC Place
Algeria
Round of 32
Australia
Penalties finished AT&T Stadium
Egypt
Round of 32
Argentina
After extra time Hard Rock Stadium
Cape Verde
Round of 32
Colombia
Finished Arrowhead Stadium
Ghana
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