Julio Enciso's World Cup dream is hanging by a thread after the Paraguay forward suffered a painful double injury during his country's final warm-up friendly ahead of the 2026 tournament.

The 22-year-old, who spent time at Brighton & Hove Albion before joining Strasbourg last September, was in visible distress as he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher in the 25th minute of Paraguay's 4-0 victory over Nicaragua. The sight of Enciso leaving the field in tears will have alarmed supporters and management alike, coming just days before the tournament proper begins.

What did the manager say?

Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro refused to panic publicly, though the concern in his words was clear. "Hopefully it's nothing serious and just the result of an impact, and that we can keep him and get him back to full fitness," Alfaro said following the match.

Alfaro explained the nature of the problem: "He suffered a double injury: first to his side and then to his lower back, which affected his quadriceps. He got scared and he had to come off."

The manager made no secret of his desire to have Enciso available. Paraguay's opening fixture against hosts the United States in Los Angeles arrives on Saturday, and Alfaro is acutely aware of what the player means to the squad — both in terms of quality and morale.

How important is Enciso to Paraguay?

Enciso has been a consistent presence throughout Paraguay's qualification campaign, contributing three goals and two assists. His form at club level has been equally encouraging: he managed 12 goals during his first season at Strasbourg, suggesting he arrived at this tournament in some of the best form of his career.

For Paraguay, reaching a World Cup finals for the first time since 2010 is itself a significant achievement, and losing their most dynamic attacking option before a ball is kicked in anger would be a severe blow. The market will inevitably reflect the increased uncertainty around their prospects in what is already a difficult group assignment against the host nation.

Balerdi also ruled out as Argentina deal with their own blow

Paraguay are not alone in managing pre-tournament injury anxiety. Defending champions Argentina have confirmed that defender Leonardo Balerdi will miss the entire tournament after sustaining a calf injury in training. Head coach Lionel Scaloni's side are yet to name a replacement, adding a layer of uncertainty to their preparations ahead of their opener against Algeria in Kansas City on 17 June.

While Argentina's squad depth makes Balerdi's absence more manageable, the dual setbacks serve as a reminder of how quickly a tournament picture can shift before the first whistle is even blown.

What happens next for Enciso?

Paraguay will be desperate for positive news from medical assessments in the coming hours. If the injury is, as Alfaro hopes, the result of a straightforward impact rather than structural damage, there remains a possibility Enciso could be available at some point in the group stage even if Saturday's opener comes too soon.

For a player who has worked to establish himself at the highest level following his move away from the Premier League, missing a World Cup at 22 would be a particularly cruel blow. The next 48 hours will tell Paraguay — and Enciso himself — a great deal about what the coming weeks hold.

Frequently asked

What injury did Julio Enciso pick up before the World Cup?
Enciso suffered a double injury during Paraguay's friendly against Nicaragua — first to his side and then to his lower back, which affected his quadriceps. He was stretchered off in tears in the 25th minute.
When do Paraguay play their first World Cup 2026 game?
Paraguay face hosts the United States in Los Angeles on Saturday in their opening World Cup 2026 group fixture.
Which clubs has Julio Enciso played for?
Enciso joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 before moving to French club Strasbourg in September of the following year, where he scored 12 goals in his debut season.