Diego Gómez

Diego Gómez is a box-to-box midfielder with a goal threat from deep, named in Paraguay's provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup. The Brighton midfielder, who is a different player from captain Gustavo Gómez, is 23 at kick-off and carries 23 senior caps and three international goals toward the tournament.

Energetic and direct, Gómez covers ground from box to box and gets into scoring positions, the attacking edge in a Paraguay side otherwise built on defensive structure. He was named Paraguay Footballer of the Year for 2024, and his eye for goal from midfield, including four in a single cup game for Brighton in 2025, sets him apart as an attacking option among Paraguay's midfield choices for the tournament if selected.

Gómez is a box-to-box central midfielder who carries the ball forward and arrives in the penalty area to score. His game pairs the running power to get up and down the pitch with a genuine threat in front of goal. He is right-footed and comfortable driving through the middle.

That goal threat is what defines him. He scored four times in a single cup game for Brighton in 2025 and was Paraguay Footballer of the Year for 2024, and while he still does his share of defensive work, his late runs into the box give Alfaro's team an outlet they otherwise lack.

Gómez gives Paraguay's low-cost card its midfield scoring profile: a box-to-box runner with three international goals, a 2024 Paraguay Footballer of the Year award, and four goals in one Brighton cup game in 2025. Paraguay are Tier 4 at £10m within the game's £200m card budget, with Group D bringing the United States, Turkey and Australia.

That matters because Paraguay's base is defensive. Gómez is the midfielder who can arrive late, shoot from central areas and give a structured team pick an attacking route.