Coach: Anibal Ruiz

Star Players: Carlos Gamarra, Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez

Tournament Best: Second Round 1986,1998, 2002

Last Time: Lost to Germany in Second Round

Qualifying: 4th in CONMEBOL Group

Top Scorer In Qualifying: Jose Cardozo 7

Paraguay have reached the second round at the last two World Cups, losing 1-0 to both France in 1998 and Germany in 2002.

They are looking to improve on that this time out and the Paraguayan people are confident of their chances.

Carlos Gamarra is a vastly experienced centre-back and gives the defence leadership and steely determination.

Paraguay's long-established front pairing of Jose Cardozo and Bayern Munich's Roque Santa Cruz has been broken by the arrival of Nelson Haedo Valdez.

Haedo Valdez plays for Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga and combines pace and skill with a huge desire to win. He is not afraid to bravely put his body on the line, and is Paraguay's most promising youngster.

It will be tough for them to qualify with England and Sweden in their group, but the bigger teams should not take them lightly.