After a long wait since 2019, the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) returns for 2026. The returning ARC comes with four competitors and Paraguay are the newcomers. Paraguay were unhappy at not being involved in the original (2016-2019) and now have the opportunity to lift their game against next-of-XV teams from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
The Paraguayans impressed in Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, beating Brazil both at home and away. Not withstanding, a Paraguay Rugby Union (URP) administrative error saw Paraguay disqualified after confirming that Ramiro Amarilla was not eligible. The Argentine had completed three years residency rather than five. The change was overlooked the by URP.
Paraguay will make their ARC debut against the Argentina XV. It is an exciting opportunity of beginning against the development team of the giants of the Americas. It will be the beginning of Paraguay’s reconstruction process in search of qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2031 in the USA.
The roster comes with experience and newcomers. There are injured players who were not considered including front-rowers Camilo Blasco, and César Pérez. Meanwhile, there are places for Elixandro Gómez, Matías Alcaráz, and Juan Martín Sebriano. The trio are u19 players.
Experienced players of note include Ariel Núñez, Sebastián Urbieta and the aforementioned Ramiro Amarilla who will captain Paraguay in the tournament in Chile.
Paraguay’s search for a higher level of play also sees eligible players included from Argentina. Examples are Sebastián Ortíz (Old Georgian), Emanuel Cáceres (Hurling), and José Manuel Mazacote (Duendes). There is also a spot for Elías Sotelo, a player with experience playing for Piacenza in Italy.
 ARC 2026 – FIXTURES |
Round 1 | Saturday August 29 – Estadio CAP Acero, Talcahuano
1pm | Argentina XV vs Paraguay — Referee: Raimundo Fuenzalida (Chile)
4pm | Chile XV vs Uruguay XV — Referee: Federico Longobardi (Argentina)
Round 2 | Wednesday, September 02 – Escuela Militar, Santiago
12pm | Argentina XV vs Uruguay XV — Referee: Sergio Alvarenga (Paraguay)
3pm | Chile XV vs Paraguay — Referee: Armen Abi-Saab (Uruguay)
Round 3 | Sunday, September 06 – Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, Valparaíso
1pm | Uruguay XV vs Paraguay — Referee: Sebastián Toledo (Chile)
4pm | Chile XV vs Argentina XV — Referee: Sergio Alvarenga (Paraguay)
 PARAGUAY ROSTER – FORWARDS |
PROP
Matías Benítez (San José, Yacare)
Thiago Fernández (San José)
Matías Alcaraz (Asunción RC)
Enrique Quinteros (San José, Yacare)
HOOKER
Jordi Chávez (Santa Clara, Yacare)
SECOND-ROW
Carlos Martins (San José)
Nahuel Segovia (San José)
BACK-ROW
Nahuel Kacerosky (San José, Yacare)
Francisco Bareiro (San José, Yacare)
Ariel Núñez (San José, Yacare)
Juan Martín Sebriano (San José, Yacare)
Elías Sotelo (CURDA)
Emanuel Cáceres (Hurling Club, AR)
| PARAGUAY ROSTER – BACKS |
SCRUM HALF
Diego Miño (CURDA, Yacare XV)
Gonzalo Bareiro (San José, Yacare XV)
FLY HALF
Sebastián Urbieta (CURDA, Yacare)
Joaquín Mussi (CURDA, Yacare)
CENTER
Ramiro Amarilla (San José, Yacare)
Sebastián Ortíz (Old Georgian Club, AR)
José Manuel Mazacote (Duendes Rugby Club, AR)
Gianfranco Parodi (CURDA, Yacare)
WING
Thomas Guzmán (San José)
Patricio Cabrera (San José)
Juan González (San José, Yacare)
Elixandro Gómez (San José)
Marcello Fretes Laterra (San José)
FULLBACK
Arturo López (CURDA, Yacare)
Facundo Paiva (San José, Yacare)
