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The Paraguay women's national football team represents Paraguay in international women's football and is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association (Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol). La Albirroja has never reached the World Cup finals, but has finished fourth in both the 2006 Sudamericano Femenino and the 2022 Copa América Femenina, the only times they were not eliminated in the Group stage. Most of Paraguay's matches are in competitions rather than friendlies, although that has started to change in recent times.
 | |||
| Nickname(s) | Las Guaraníes/La Albirroja | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Paraguayan Football Association | ||
| Confederation | CONMEBOL (South America) | ||
| Head coach | Antônio Carlos Bona | ||
| Captain | Veronica Riveros | ||
| Top scorer | Jessica Martinez (10) | ||
| Home stadium | Estadio Defensores del Chaco | ||
| FIFA code | PAR | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 49  (16 August 2024)[1] | ||
| Highest | 47 (December 2018; December 2020) | ||
| Lowest | 67 (September 2006) | ||
| First international | |||
 Paraguay 3–2 Uruguay  (Mar del Plata, Argentina; 1 March 1998) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
 Paraguay 10–0 Jamaica  (Viña del Mar, Chile; 25 October 2023) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
 United States 9–0 Paraguay (Cleveland, United States; 16 September 2021) | |||
| Copa América | |||
| Appearances | 7 (first in 1998) | ||
| Best result | Fourth place (2006, 2022) | ||
| CONCACAF W Gold Cup | |||
| Appearances | 1 (first in 2024) | ||
| Best result | Quarter-final (2024) | ||
History
edit1998 South American Women's Football Championship
editAfter not entering the 1991 and 1995 Copa America Femenina, Paraguay made their international debut against Uruguay at the 1998 South American Women's Football Championship. Their first official match ended in the best way, defeating the Uruguayans 3–2 in Mar del Plata in Argentina. However, losses to Argentina and Ecuador by the score of 3–0 eliminated them from the competition. They capped off their first appearance at the championship with a 3–2 win over Bolivia.
2003 South American Women's Football Championship
editHeading into their second championship, the groups were regionalised, so they were drawn into a group containing Argentina and Uruguay, where games would take place at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena in Salta. With only the group winners advancing, a 3–0 loss to Argentina effectively ended their chances of progression. A 3–1 win against Uruguay, meant they finished second.
2006 South American Women's Football Championship
editFor the third time, the Paraguayans arrived in Argentina for the tournament. After the format was reverted to the same one used in 1998, two groups of five. This championship was their most successful championship in their history, overcoming, Bolivia 5–1, Venezuela 3–1 and Peru 2–1 to historically advance to the second round behind Brazil. With the top two in the second round qualifying for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, this was the closest Paraguay had become to making a major tournament. They started their second-round campaign with a tense and respectable 0–0 draw against the hosts Argentina. Although, they would get thumped by Brazil 6–0 in their next game, with Cristiane scoring four goals for the Brazilians. Despite the heavy loss, Paraguay knew a win over Uruguay in the last match could give them hope of an unlikely dream World Cup debut. But after holding the lead twice against Uruguay, the Uruguayans came back to lead and eventually won 3–2, meaning Paraguay were overtaken by Uruguay to finish fourth. This would remain their best tournament result until 2022. They also won the Fair Play Award.
2007 Pan American Games
editTheir fourth-place finish in 2006 meant Las Guaraníes qualified for the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, their first tournament that the team had ever qualified for. However, in a group containing the United States U20 team, Mexico, Argentina and Panama, they struggled to stay competitive, losing all three of their four games, with the exception being a 1–1 draw with the Panamanians, where Francisca Agüero scored a stoppage-time equaliser. Despite the point, Paraguay still came of their group at their debut Pan Americans Games.
2010 South American Women's Football Championship
edit2010 (held in Ecuador) saw Paraguay grouped with Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela and Uruguay. In the end, they had a decent tournament, garnering two wins out of four. However, they failed to recreate their 2006 performance and crashed out in the first round, finishing third in group B below Brazil and Colombia. Also, due to this result, they failed to make the 2011 Pan American Games.
2014 Copa América Femenina
editHosted by Ecuador again, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia were Paraguay's challengers in 2014. Las Guaraníes had a pretty unlucky tournament. After taking a shock lead against the Brazilians, they lost 4–1 in their opening match. That was followed by another defeat, this time from Argentina, by the score of 1–0. But, surprisingly, a 10–2 win over Bolivia and a 3–2 comeback win over Chile had put Paraguay into a position where all they needed was for underdogs Argentina to lose to Brazil and their passage to the second round was secured on a three-way tie. However, disappointingly, Argentina triumphed 2–0 over Brazil and would advance instead, ending Paraguay's hopes of making the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.
2018 Copa América Femenina
editParaguay decided to put a bid in the 2018 edition, but lost the bidding process to Chile. There was also more optimism due to numerous Paraguay youth teams making U20 and U17 Women's World Cups between 2014 and 2018. Aiming for their first major tournament, Paraguay were third seeds and were drawn into group A where they were pitted against Chile, Colombia, Uruguay and Peru. In this evenly matched group, La Albirroja played hosts Chile and gained a hard-fought point after a 1–1 draw. Paraguay took the lead eight minutes into the second half through Gloria Villamayor. But nine minutes later, the Chileans equalised to end the game all square. Their second game involving the Peruvians gave Paraguay their first win of the tournament, winning 3–0. They were frustrated by Peru for 70 minutes but scored three goals in the last 20 to secure the win. Next, Las Guaraníes played Colombia, where a hat trick by Catalina Usme saw Paraguay be dealt a damaging 5–1 loss. That would prove costly since their main rivals in the group, Chile, had drawn against the Colombians earlier in the tournament to give them an edge over the Parguayans. After missing the previous matchday, Paraguay overcame a 1-goal deficit to defeat Uruguay 2–1, with a ninety-second-minute goal through a volley by Amada Peralta. However, their slight hopes of progression were squashed as Chile beat Peru 5–0 to advance over the Paraguayans. Despite the disappointment, their performance was enough to secure a spot in the 2019 Pan American Games. Their second appearance at the event.
2019 Pan American Games
editIn their second-ever appearance at the Pan American Games, Paraguay had a much more successful tournament. After topping their group with seven points after wins over Mexico and Jamaica, plus a draw with Colombia, their semi-final match against Argentina couldn't have gone worse. They conceded three goals in the first half to comfortably lose 3–0 against Argentina. In the bronze medal match, where they played Costa Rica, a late goal by Daniela Cruz for the Costa Rican meant the Paraguayans would go home without a medal.
Results and fixtures
editThe following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Void or Postponed Fixture
2023
edit| 22 October 2023 Pan American Games | Chile  | 1–0 |  Paraguay | Valparaiso, Chile |
|
Report | Stadium: Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander Referee: Helena De Siqueira (Brazil) |
| 25 October 2023 Pan American Games | Paraguay | 10–0 |  Jamaica | Viña del Mar, Chile |
|
Report | Stadium: Estadio Sausalito Referee: Gisselle Giler (Ecuador) |
| 28 October 2023 Pan American Games | Mexico  | 4–1 | Paraguay | Viña del Mar, Chile |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Estadio Sausalito Referee: Priscila Vasquez (Peru) |
| 31 October 2023 Pan American Games | Paraguay | 3–1 |  Costa Rica | Viña del Mar, Chile |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Estadio Sausalito Referee: Maria Belen Lupera Reto (Ecuador) |
| 3 December Friendly | Paraguay | 1–1 |  Russia | Ypané, Paraguay |
J. Martínez ?' (pen.) |
Report | Kuropatkina (?) |
Stadium: CARFEM |
2024
edit
| 22 February W Gold Cup Group C | Costa Rica | 0–1 | Paraguay | Houston, United States |
| 21:00 (20:00 UTC−6) | Report | Chamorro 51' |
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Referee: Odette Hamilton (Jamaica) |
| 25 February W Gold Cup Group C | Paraguay | 0–4 |  Canada | Houston, United States |
| 17:00 (16:00 UTC−6) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Referee: Katia García (Mexico) |
| 28 February W Gold Cup Group C | Paraguay | 3–2 |  El Salvador | Houston, United States |
| 21:00 (20:00 UTC−6) |
|
Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Referee: Karen Hernández (Mexico) |
| 3 March W Gold Cup Quarter-finals | Mexico | 3–2 | Paraguay | Los Angeles, United States |
| 17:00 (14:00 UTC−8) | Report | Stadium: BMO Stadium Referee: Tori Penso (United States) |
| 4 April Friendly | FC Barcelona  | 7–0 | Paraguay | Barcelona, Spain |
| 11:15 UTC 2 | Stadium: Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper |
| 7 April Friendly | Catalonia  | 5–1 | Paraguay | Palamós, Spain |
| 12:00 UTC 2 | Report | R. Fernández 50' |
Stadium: Estadi Palamós Costa Brava Attendance: 3,351 Referee: Cecilia Muñoz di Giovambattista (Spain) |
Coaching staff
editCurrent coaching staff
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2020) |
| Position | Name | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach |  Antonio Carlos Bona
|
2024 |
Manager history
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2020) |
- Eduardo Poletti (2003)
- Esteban von Lucken (2006)
- Agustín Cabrera (2006)
- Nelson Basualdo (2010)
- Julio Gómez (2014)
- Rubén Subeldía (2018)
- Epifania Benítez (2019–2021)
Marcello Frigerio (2021–2023)- Antonio Carlos Bona (2024–)
Players
editCurrent squad
edit- The following players have been called up for the friendly matches against Chile on 12 and 15 July 2024.[2]
Caps noted are current as of 8 April 2021, after the match against Japan, per the above sources.
Recent call-ups
edit- The following players have been called up to a Paraguay squad in the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Alicia Bobadilla | 5 June 1994 | 12 | 0 |  Racing
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| DF | Limpia Fretes | 24 June 2000 | 24 | 0 | Cruzeiro
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| DF | Verónica Riveros | 23 April 1987 | 21 | 1 |  Independiente del Valle
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| DF | Lorena Alonso | 1 April 1998 | 7 | 0 | Olimpia
|
v. Costa Rica, 31 October 2023
|
| DF | María Martínez | 24 May 1999 | 15 | 0 | Universidad de Chile
|
v. Costa Rica, 31 October 2023
|
| DF | Camila Arrieta | 16 September 2001 | 7 | 0 | Cruzeiro
|
v. Costa Rica, 31 October 2023
|
| MF | Dulce Quintana | 6 February 1989 | 21 | 4 |  Racing Power
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| MF | Griselda Garay | 11 December 1997 | 2 | 0 | Olimpia
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| MF | Rosa Miño | 13 July 1999 | 15 | 0 | Independiente del Valle
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| MF | Dahiana Bogarín | 13 November 2000 | 5 | 0 | Colo-Colo
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| MF | Deisy Ojeda | 3 March 2000 | 11 | 0 | Querétaro
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| MF | Rosa Miño | 13 July 1999 | v. Russia, 3 December 2023
| |||
| MF | Fabiola Sandoval | 27 May 1999 | 20 | 2 | Cruzeiro
|
v. Russia, 3 December 2023
|
| MF | Fany Gauto | 19 August 1992 | 10 | 1 | Internacional
|
v. Costa Rica, 31 October 2023
|
| MF | Ramona Martínez | 21 July 1996 | 12 | 1 | Libertad
|
v. Costa Rica, 31 October 2023
|
| FW | Lice Chamorro | 22 December 1998 | 21 | 4 | Espanyol
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| FW | Jessica Martínez | 14 June 1999 | 26 | 10 |  Al-Hilal
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| FW | Liz Peña | 15 June 1995 | 7 | 1 | Libertad
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| FW | Ramona Martínez | 21 July 1997 | 18 | 2 | Avaí
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| FW | Rebeca Fernández | 1 December 1991 | 17 | 6 | Universidad de Chile
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| FW | Fátima Acosta | 7 January 2005 | 3 | 0 | São Paulo
|
v. Mexico, 3 March 2024
|
| FW | Lourdes González | 16 July 1999 | 3 | 0 | Avaí
|
v. Russia, 3 December 2023
|
Records
edit- Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2020.
Most capped players
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2020) |
| # | Player | Year(s) | Caps |
|---|
Top goalscorers
edit- As of 31 October 2023
| Rank | Player | Year(s) | Goals | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jessica Martinez | 2014- | 19 | 23 |
Competitive record
editFIFA Women's World Cup
edit| FIFA Women's World Cup record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
 1991
|
Did not enter | ||||||
 1995
| |||||||
 1999
|
Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2003
| |||||||
| 2007
| |||||||
 2011
| |||||||
| 2015
| |||||||
 2019
| |||||||
  2023
| |||||||
| 2027
|
To be determined | ||||||
| Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Olympic Games
edit| Summer Olympics record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 1996
|
Did not enter | ||||||
| 2000
|
Did not qualify | ||||||
 2004
| |||||||
| 2008
| |||||||
 2012
| |||||||
| 2016
| |||||||
 2020
| |||||||
 2024
| |||||||
| Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina
edit| CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 1991
|
Did not enter | ||||||
| 1995
| |||||||
| 1998
|
Group stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 10 |
 2003
|
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2006
|
Fourth place | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 16 |
| 2010
|
Group stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
| 2014
|
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 9 | |
| 2018
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | |
 2022
|
Fourth place | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 12 |
| 2025
|
TBD | ||||||
| Total | 8/10 | 31 | 15 | 2 | 14 | 61 | 64 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Pan American Games
edit| Pan American Games record | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 1999
|
Did not enter | ||||||
 2003
| |||||||
| 2007
|
Group stage | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 18 |
| 2011
|
Did not qualify | ||||||
| 2015
| |||||||
| 2019
|
Fourth place | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2023 |
Fifth place | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 6 |
| Total | 3/7 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 23 | 30 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
CONCACAF W Gold Cup
edit| CONCACAF W Gold Cup record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |
| 2024
|
Quarter finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 | |
| Total | 1/1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 9 | |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "The nominees for the friendly games against Chile". Paraguayan Football Association (in Spanish). Retrieved 9 July 2024.