Paraguayan coach Gustavo Alfaro expressed his anger on Thursday at the criticism his players faced after their opening attack on the 2026 FIFA World Cup by the United States, telling the media to sack his team and send all the blows his way.
Alfaro took full responsibility for Paraguay’s 4-1 defeat to co-hosts the United States last week and said his players should be left alone so they can get their Group D campaign back on track against Turkiye on Friday.
«Criticize me. You can shoot at me, but not at them. Protect them. You know why? Because when the World Cup is over, I will be gone, but they will stay. They will stay, and they will continue to represent the country,» Alfaro said, waving his finger repeatedly during a crowded press conference.
«Please hit me. Hit me. I am going to take all your blows. But I only ask you to defend the players; they are the most valuable asset the national team has,» he added.
Paraguay, known as “La Albirroja”, last played at the World Cup in 2010, where it was knocked out by eventual champions Spain in a dramatic quarter-final that marked its best run in the tournament.
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There will be little room for error for Paraguay and Turkiye in the San Francisco Bay Area on Friday after both sides suffered defeats in the opening match, with Turkiye defeated 2-0 by Australia. The two sides will have an idea of the task ahead as the United States takes on Australia in Seattle earlier in the day.
Alfaro said Paraguay had been “overwhelmed and crushed on all fronts” against the United States, but had since regrouped and would put up a good fight against Turkiye.
But as he tried to concentrate on the match ahead, he became visibly irritated by questions about his selection for the opening match and launched into another lengthy tirade.
«I closed the American chapter on Saturday and you bring me back to this American chapter. Tomorrow we have a final against Turkiye. They are here and they represent seven million people. So I would like to see you defend that jersey… you can destroy the coach; that’s fine,» he said.
Midfielder Matias Galarza sat next to Alfaro and looked uncomfortable at times during a heated press conference that ran well over the allotted time.
«Well, it’s hard to talk about it now, isn’t it. Obviously that game was a shock for us… The American gaming chapter is closed and tomorrow we have a final, and that’s how we see it,» Galarza said, drawing laughter from the media.
Published on June 19, 2026
