The excitement is building as we get a week away and the anticipation of the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. We continue on to Group F with the South American nation of Paraguay.

OFFICIAL NAME: Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol



NICKNAME:La Albirroja

FIFA CONFEDERATION: CONMEBOL (South America)

FIFA CODE: PAR

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: 3rd place in CONMEBOL WC Qualifying Standings

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 8

BEST WC FINISH: Round of 16, Mexico 1986, France 1988 & Korea/Japan 2002

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 22: 6W - 7D - 9L

HEAD COACH: Gerardo Martino

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Carlos Gamarra (110)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): José Saturnino Cardozo (25)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
In South America, Paraguay is regarded as the most physical and arguably the toughest minded side in the region. La Albirroja participated in the 1st World Cup in 1930. Paraguay has won 2 Copa America titles but Paraguay have yet to establish themselves outside of South America as a major footballing power.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Paraguay's player to watch is part of the Argentine-born contingent that will help La Albirroja in South Africa, he is Néstor Ortigoza.
(Photo at Ultimahora.com)
Ortigoza plays for current Argentine champions, Argentinos Juniors and was an important midfield player in their surprise 2010 Clausura title. Ortigoza's father is Paraguayan and joins Jonathan Santana and Lucas Barrios as Argentine-born but naturalized Paraguayans. Ortigoza has to blend into a veteran midfield that worked well in qualifying.

OUTLOOK:
Paraguay has the talent and the organization to win the group, the goal for La Albirroja will be what happens during the knockout stages. The way Paraguay qualified in South America has many observers believing that this could be the year that Paraguay finally makes it past the Round of 16.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Real Valladolid, Spain), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin, Colombia), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno);

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon, Mexico), Dario Veron (Pumas, Mexico), Julio Caceres (Atletico Mineiro, Brazil), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland, England), Claudio Morel Rodriguez (Boca Juniors, Argentina), Antolin Alcaraz (Wigan, Eng), Carlos Bonet (Olimpia), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo, Argentina);

Midfielders: Cristian Riveros (Sunderland, England), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito, Ecuador), Edgar Barreto (Atalanta, Italy), Jonathan Santana (Wolfsburg, Germany), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors, Argentina);

Attackers: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, England), Nelson Haedo Valdez (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica, Portugal), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca, Mexico), Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad).

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 14 vs. Italy
June 20 vs. Slovakia
June 24 vs. New Zealand

Group F Breakdowns finish up with Slovakia