BOSTON — Germany will face Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Monday, with Julian Nagelsmann's side seeking to extend its knockout run after topping Group E while Paraguay aims to continue an unexpected return to the latter stages of the tournament.
The match at Boston Stadium marks Germany's first knockout appearance since the tournament's expansion to 48 teams and comes after a group-stage campaign that included victories over Curacao and Ivory Coast before a loss to Ecuador in a match played after qualification had already been secured.
Paraguay reached the knockout phase as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams, advancing beyond the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 2002. The South Americans recovered from an opening defeat to the United States to keep their campaign alive and now face four-time world champions Germany for a place in the Round of 16.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his staff had faced a compressed preparation period because the team's opponent was not confirmed until the final round of group-stage matches. He said the uncertainty required his coaching staff to prepare for multiple possible opponents before Paraguay's qualification was confirmed.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro urged his players to embrace what he described as a rare opportunity, telling them to approach the match with belief after the team's progress from the group stage.
Germany enters the contest with attacking threats including Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala, although defensive consistency has remained a point of discussion following the defeat to Ecuador. German supporters arriving in the Boston area expressed optimism about the team's chances while acknowledging that tougher tests could await later in the tournament should Germany advance.
The teams have met once previously at a World Cup, with Germany winning 1-0 in the Round of 16 in 2002. The German Football Association said Monday's fixture would be their second World Cup meeting.
Monday's match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. local time at Boston Stadium in Foxborough. The winner will advance to the Round of 16 as the knockout stage of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup continues.
