Paraguay is assessing an injury to forward Julio Enciso just days ahead of its World Cup opener against the United States. Multiple outlets report that Enciso, 22, was hurt during Paraguay’s final tournament warm-up match, a 4–0 win over Nicaragua on Friday. He is taken off in the 25th minute, and BBC Sport and others describe the incident as serious enough that he is stretchered off and visibly distressed.
Paraguayan coach Gustavo Alfaro provides additional context, saying the injury involves what he described as a double knock, with reports pointing to a hamstring impact and a blow that affects the quadriceps area. The situation is being evaluated medically, with an MRI reportedly ordered to determine the extent of the problem.
With the injury occurring about a week before Paraguay’s match versus the USMNT, the team’s World Cup availability for Enciso remains uncertain. Paraguay and Enciso’s medical team are expected to use the results of further evaluation to decide on his treatment and whether he can return in time.
