Julio Enciso

Enciso (thigh) underwent another MRI scan, which revealed he's still dealing with a muscle contusion but has avoided a tear, although he's likely to sit out the World Cup opener against United States, Miguel Caceres of ABC Deportes reports.

Analysis: Enciso will continue to recover from his muscle injury, with Paraguay's coaching staff trying to be careful so that the key player avoids a relapse. Having taken part in ball drills already, he could aim to return after his likely exclusion from the first group-stage game. Until then, there could be a rare opportunity for either Mauricio or Ramon Sosa to produce on the left flank.

Jun 8, 2026

Trains with ball

Enciso (thigh) was spotted walking, running and working with the ball during Paraguay's first training session in the United States at the Spartan Soccer Complex in San Jose, with additional medical examinations showing notable improvement in the affected right thigh area, according to ABC.

Analysis: Enciso had been carried off on a stretcher in tears during the friendly against Nicaragua, making the positive signs at training an enormous relief for the entire Paraguay camp. A specialist in ultrasound has been added to the delegation to monitor his condition minute by minute, and while the coaching staff plan to manage his return carefully to ensure a complete recovery, his World Cup participation now looks considerably more optimistic than the initial diagnosis suggested.