Germany enter the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 12 years but will hope to avoid an immediate upset against Paraguay in the round of 32.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side were stunned by South American determination in their final group outing, with Ecuador’s dramatic win in New York leaving them rocked despite still finishing Group E as winners.
Their presence in the knockouts nevertheless ends an era of failure for the German national team, who had previously failed to get out of the group since lifting the title in 2014.
Paraguay, meanwhile, eked through Group D in third place and will have to deliver an even bigger shock to the four-time champions than their continental counterparts if they are to progress.
Follow all the action from Germany vs Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32 below:
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Germany vs Paraguay live updates
- Germany face Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32 | Kick-off at 9.30pm, live on BBC One
- Julian Nagelsmann's side topped Group E but were stunned by Ecuador last time out
- Paraguay progressed in third place of Group D and will hope for another upset
- Germany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Havertz, Wirtz; Undav
- Paraguay XI: Gill; Caceres, Gomez, Canale, Alonso; Cubas, Bobadilla, Fonda; Almiron, Enciso, Avalos
The real reason Germany are running out of time after World Cup setback
21:21 , Chris WilsonTop spot in Group E, 10 goals scored and two wins from three. And yet, an air of disappointment.
While Germany’s 2-1 loss to Ecuador was celebrated raucously in the stands of the New York New Jersey Stadium, it changed little for the four-time World Cup winners, who had wrapped up first place in their group five days earlier. However, as the players wandered around the pitch at full-time, it felt like an admission of defeat in more ways than one.
After exiting the tournament at the group stages in 2018 and 2022, a place in the last 32 – and their first World Cup knockout game since the 2014 final – is an achievement for Germany, if an expected one. However, this is a nation that dreams big every four years, and on the same pitch where the final will be held in a few weeks, they produced a performance that suggested they’ll have flown home long before 19 July.
The real reason Germany are running out of time after World Cup setback
Here come the players
21:21 , Alan SmithThey are emerging from the tunnel in Foxborough, walking behind a corner flag and down towards the centre circle before the anthems.
Group-stage results
21:16 , Alex PattleGermany:
7-1 vs Curacao
2-1 vs Ivory Coast
0-1 vs Ecuador
Paraguay:
1-4 vs USA
1-0 vs Turkey
0-0 vs Australia
Tonight's referee
21:14 , Alan Smith... is Jalal Jayed from Morocco.
This is his hird match of the tournament having overseen Germany's 7-1 victory versus Curacao before he was in charge for Portugal's 5-0 win against Uzbekistan.
Who will the winner face?
21:09 , Alex PattleThe winners of this tie will travel to Philadelphia for their last-16 fixture where they will face either France or Sweden on Saturday 4 July.
Germany precariously poised for Paraguay duel
20:57 , Alex PattleHaving watched all three of Germany’s outings at this World Cup so far, I think it’s fair to say they have looked calamitous at times.
Conceding a goal against Curacao was perhaps an early warning sign, but the 7-1 scoreline in Germany’s favour meant very little focus fell on the faults in Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
But against Ivory Coast, even a late winner wasn’t enough to distract from how disjointed and haphazard Germany appeared; the win papered over cracks, that’s all.
And so, the loss to Ecuador was a just reward for Germany’s concerning group-stage campaign.
Elsewhere in the last 32
20:56 , Alex PattleThe winner of tonight’s game will join Brazil in the last 16, after the Selecao fought from behind to beat Japan 2-1 just now.
After Kaishu Sano’s opener, Casemiro’s headed equaliser gave way to Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp strike in added time, as Brazil became the second nation to reach the last 16.
Last night, Canada also left it late to beat South Africa and become the first team to qualify.
Last night: Canada snatch last-gasp World Cup winner to break South Africa hearts in tepid knockout start
20:52 , Kieran Jackson at Los Angeles StadiumCo-hosts Canada were the first team to progress to the last 16 as Stephen Eustaquio came with a last-gap winner against South Africa - Kieran Jackson reports from Los Angeles:
When Canada’s concluding moment does eventually arrive this summer, Stephen Eustaquio would be forgiven for not wanting to leave the bright sunshine of California. The Canadian midfielder, contracted to Porto, joined Los Angeles FC in February on a four-month loan deal, desperately hunting minutes on the pitch ahead of the World Cup. A much-admired member of the squad, Eustaquio tragically lost his mother to brain cancer in April 2023 and his father to a heart attack one year later. Now, the 29-year-old is the match-winner in his new home away from home, sending his country through to the last-16 with a dramatic stoppage-time strike.
It should be noted: this was not a classic, thrilling start to the knockout phase. A match between two group-stage runner-ups – in groups naturally weaker due to host nation participation – failed to fire for the vast majority, under this 70,000-seater greenhouse. To a wider point, what does that say for the World Cup’s knockout expansion? Perhaps it’s too early to judge, but this was certainly two teams who were afraid to lose the contest, rather than setting out to win. Food for thought, maybe, for Fifa president Gianni Infantino, an unsurprising spectator in the VIP area.
Yet the long-awaited introduction of Canada captain Alphonso Davies – a world-class performer on his day – made the difference here with 15 minutes to go. Suddenly, Jesse Marsch’s side had more verve, more speed, more desire to be on the front foot. The gamble, given Davies’ precarious hamstring, paid off.
Canada snatch last-gasp World Cup winner to break South Africa hearts
Confirmed Paraguay XI
20:23 , Alex PattleParaguay XI: Gill; Caceres, Gomez, Canale, Alonso; Cubas, Bobadilla, Fonda; Almiron, Enciso, Avalos
Confirmed Germany XI with Musiala dropped for Undav
20:16 , Alex PattleGermany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Havertz, Wirtz; Undav
The big change: Undav starts up top, but not in place of Havertz; instead, it’s Musiala who is dropped!
Havertz starts in midfield...? Or Undav plays behind Havertz? We’ll find out soon!
Welcome to the real World Cup – the tournament begins now
20:15 , Miguel DelaneyAmong a lot of the most celebrated World Cup 2026 squads, coaches have already sought to ensure the intensity of training has gone up. There’s a new edge that only knockout football, and especially World Cup knockout football, can bring.
The Dutch squad perhaps put it best ahead of the most fascinating last-32 tie of all, against Morocco.
“It’s game on,” said Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke. “Now, the big games come.”
Welcome to the real World Cup – the tournament begins now
World Cup power rankings
20:00 , Will CastleThe 2026 World Cup has stormed into the knockout stages after this year’s bumper 48-team tournament had its first culling.
Germany are hoping to extend their first run to the knockouts since winning in 2014, while Paraguay are dreaming of an upset against the four-time champions - but heading into the round of 32, where do both sit in our power rankings?
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Argentina and France lead charge heading to knockouts
Predicted line-ups
19:25 , Will CastleGermany XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Brown; Pavlovic, Nmecha; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Paraguay XI: Gill; Caceres, Alderete, Velazquez, Alonso; Almiron, Galarza, Cubas, Mauricio; Avalos, Enciso
Paraguay team news
19:20 , Will CastleFor Paraguay, Diego Gomez will miss the match through suspension though Miguel Almiron returns after serving his ban.
Omar Alderete and Ramon Sosa both need to be assessed for knee and muscle injuries.
Germany team news
19:15 , Will CastleGermany will be without Nico Schlotterbeck who picked up an ankle injury against Ivory Coast and looks unlikely to feature again in the World Cup.
Elsewhere, Nathaniel Brown missed the Ecuador game with a muscle issue but could return.
Is Germany vs Paraguay on TV?
19:05 , Will CastleThe fixture will take place at Boston Stadium on Monday 29 June at 9.30pm BST (1.30am PT / 3.30pm CT / 4.30pm ET).
How can I watch it?
In the UK, the game will air live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. In the US, it will air live on Fox Sports.
Germany vs Paraguay LIVE!
19:00 , Will CastleGermany enter the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 12 years but will hope to avoid an immediate upset against Paraguay in the round of 32.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side were stunned by South American determination in their final group outing, with Ecuador’s dramatic win in New York leaving them rocked despite still finishing Group E as winners.
Their presence in the knockouts nevertheless ends an era of failure for the German national team, who had previously failed to get out of the group since lifting the title in 2014.
Paraguay, meanwhile, eked through Group D in third place and will have to deliver an even bigger shock to the four-time champions than their continental counterparts if they are to progress.
Good evening
13:45 , Will CastleHello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Germany’s clash with Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32.
Stay tuned for all the latest team news, build-up and minute-by-minute updates from the clash.
