Paraguay’s World Cup hopes lost one of their brightest young talents. Lucas Romero, the 23-year-old midfielder who made his senior debut in November 2025, will miss the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. after failing to impress during his short stint at Universidad de Chile in early 2026. Last result: Paraguay 0-1 France (2026-07-04).
Who is Lucas Romero and how did he reach Paraguay’s national team?
Lucas Ramón Romero Gómez was born on August 29, 2002, in Choré, Paraguay. His towering frame -1.89 meters- and midfield presence caught eyes early during his time at Club Libertad, though he never made his debut for the Gumarelo. His professional start came at Tacuary, where he debuted in 2023 as a defensive midfielder before shining at Recoleta FC in 2024. In 2025 he played 34 matches, logged 2,654 minutes, scored once and set up two more, helping the club stay in the top flight and qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.
His rapid rise earned him a call-up from Gustavo Alfaro for the November 2025 FIFA window. On November 18 he debuted for the Albirroja in a 2-1 win over Mexico on U.S. soil, showcasing his ability to control the midfield and win physical battles.
Why did Universidad de Chile target him and what went wrong?
Universidad de Chile saw Romero as the natural successor to Marcelo Díaz, a modern defensive midfielder averaging nearly five tackles per game and an 86% pass-completion rate. His January 2026 arrival raised hopes, but coaches Francisco Meneghini and Fernando Gago rarely started him. After six months on the bench, his Chilean gamble collapsed and he was left off the final 2026 World Cup squad.
The Paraguayan youngster stood out for his aerial threat, one-on-one strength and progressive passing. Yet in Chile he never locked down a starting role, which hurt his chances with the national team. After his exit, Romero moved to Mexico to restart his career.
What does his exclusion mean for Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup?
Romero was a key piece of the generation chasing a first World Cup berth since 2010. His absence leaves a gap in midfield where his physical profile could have added balance. Gustavo Alfaro opted for more experienced players after Paraguay’s uneven run: a 1-1 draw with Venezuela on June 20, 2026, and the 0-1 loss to France on July 4, 2026.
La Albirroja enters the tournament on shaky recent form: over their last five games they have one win, two draws and two defeats. Their World Cup opener on June 12, 2026 against Italy will decide their fate in the group stage.
