World Cup nation’s star player stretchered off in tears just days before tournament begins

Paraguay star Julio Enciso was stretchered off in tears six days before his side’s World Cup opener against the United States.

The Strasbourg forward went down in agony following an innocuous challenge in Paraguay’s 4-0 World Cup warm-up win over Nicaragua.

Getty

Getty

Enciso received the ball while under pressure from a defender midway through the first half but hobbled away in discomfort before eventually falling to the ground.

He was subsequently replaced by Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro who later revealed the 22-year-old would undergo tests on the injury.

“Julio suffered two simultaneous injuries; a tight hamstring from impact and then on his waist, which affected his quadriceps area,” Alfaro told reporters at full time.

“He got scared and that’s why he came off.

“When he took the first hit, he signaled to me and I told him to come off. He replied that it was loosening up, but then he took another blow to the waist and that’s when he felt the injury.

“We hope Julio is alright and he can be ready to return for the opener.”

However, some media reports claim Enciso could be out for two to three weeks, putting his group stage participation in jeopardy.

Enciso is one of Paraguay’s big hopes ahead of the upcoming World Cup having already notched four goals in 31 appearances for his country.

Paraguay are a low-scoring side meaning Enciso’s creativity is a fundamental part of their attacking play.

He previously enjoyed spells in English football with Brighton and Ipswich Town, clocking up 57 Premier League appearances.

AFP

AFP

He currently plays his club football for French top-flight side Strasbourg who are managed by Gary O’Neil.

Enciso played a leading role for Strasbourg in the 2025/26 season helping the club reach the UEFA Conference League and Coupe de France semi-finals while cementing an eighth-placed finish in Ligue 1.

He featured 42 times for the BlueCo owned club, scoring 12 goals.

Enciso was also Strasbourg’s joint-top assist provider for the season with six.

Paraguay’s opener against the United States takes place on Friday, June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

Then, Los Guaranies head to Santa Clara to take on Turkey seven days later before concluding the group stage with a clash against Australia on June 25.