Omar Alderete
SUN
Center Back
Ball-Playing Center Back
Dec 26, 1996 (29)
Left
6'3"
170 lb
In line for increased role
Alderete started and played 60 minutes in Paraguay's 2-0 win over Bolivia during the international break.
Analysis: Alderete helped Paraguay keep a clean sheet before being withdrawn after an hour. The center-back could be in line for an increased role with Sunderland following the international break after Dan Ballard suffered an injury while representing Northern Ireland. Alderete is expected to partner Kevin Danso in central defense if Ballard remains unavailable.
Available off bench
Alderete is available off the bench for Sunday's match against Manchester City after dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Analysis: Alderete returns to the matchday squad after being forced off in the 52nd minute of Wednesday's Europa League win over AZ Alkmaar with an apparent muscle issue. His place on the bench suggests Sunderland are taking a cautious approach with his return, while Daniel Ballard gets the start against Manchester City. Alderete has primarily operated in a rotational role since Kevin Danso's arrival and could provide defensive cover off the bench if needed Sunday.
Doubtful for Manchester City clash
Alderete (undisclosed) remains a doubt for Sunday's clash against Manchester City after suffering an apparent muscle injury in Wednesday's Europa League opener against AZ Alkmaar, according to ABC Paraguay.
Analysis: Alderete was forced off in the 52nd minute of the recent Europa League opener against AZ Alkmaar, with Daniel Ballard coming on in his place, in a match that Sunderland went on to win 1-0. Ballard looks likely to return to the starting lineup regardless of how Alderete's fitness develops, given his primarily rotational role since Kevin Danso's arrival.
Subbed off injured in Europa League
Alderete was forced off in the 52th minute of Wednesday's Europa League opener against AZ Alkmaar with an apparent injury.
Analysis: Alderete's role has been primarily rotational since the arrival of Kevin Danso, and his start against AZ Alkmaar came as coach Regis Le Bris shuffled his pack for the European tie in place of Ballard. Whether he is available for the trip to Manchester City on Sunday remains unclear until Sunderland have run tests on the problem. Ballard looks likely to come back into the side regardless of how the centre back's fitness develops.
Returns to bench
Alderete (undisclosed) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Ipswich Town.
Analysis: Alderete returns to the squad after being carefully managed following his return from the World Cup due to a minor injury. He did not feature during Sunderland's preseason, with the focus on having him ready for the start of the league campaign. His return bolsters Sunderland's center-back options after he established himself as one of the club's most reliable defenders last season. He will begin on the bench Saturday but is expected to reclaim a starting role once fully fit, likely at the expense of Luke O'Nien.
Set to be available vs Ipswich
Alderete (undisclosed) is fit and available for Saturday's season opener against Ipswich, according to coach Regis Le Bris. "He is available. Nordi and Omar are also okay. Adingra is the only one who will miss out."
Analysis: Alderete's recovery from a minor knock was handled cautiously through preseason, with manager Regis Le Bris opting to keep him out of unofficial fixtures rather than rush his return. His availability now strengthens Sunderland's center back options after a season in which he was one of the club's most consistent defenders, and he's expected to slot back into the rotation likely at Luke O'Nien's expense.
Nearing return for opener
Alderete missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Rennes with a minor knock but is expected to be available for Saturday's season opener against Ipswich, according to coach Regis Le Bris. "But Omar is in a good place. He should train next week. Nordi isn't far off either. We're hoping they can both be available for Ipswich."
Analysis: Alderete's setback was managed cautiously through preseason, with manager Regis Le Bris preferring to keep him out of unofficial fixtures rather than push his recovery. Last season, the center back was one of Sunderland's most consistent defensive performers, averaging a team-high 6.6 clearances per game across 33 Premier League appearances as the club posted nine clean sheets. Alderete is expected to slot back into the center back rotation once he returns to full training, likely at the expense of a place for Luke O'Nien. With the campaign just getting underway, Sunderland have shown no urgency in rushing him back before he's ready.
Hopeful for season kickoff
Alderete has been out of pre-season activity due to a minor knock, with coach Regis Le Bris saying "Omar and Nordi have minor injuries. It's important we take care of them before the start of the season. They should be available for the beginning of the season, but we have a long campaign coming up, so it's important we take care of all of our players".
Analysis: Alderete will aim to compete for a starting position at center-back as soon as the 2026/27 campaign begins, with his playing time managed in unofficial games instead. The central man served as one of the squad's main defensive forces last year, averaging a team-high 6.6 clearances per contest while helping Sunderland to nine clean sheets over 33 Premier League outings. He should eventually join Daniel Ballard in the middle of a back four, at the expense of Luke O'Nien.
To join squad later in preseason
Alderete will link up with Sunderland later in preseason and will not travel with the squad to the United States, the club announced.
Analysis: Alderete's later return follows his run to the latter stages of the World Cup with Paraguay, during which he had been forced off with muscle discomfort in a round of 16 loss to France after 58 minutes. His delayed return means he will miss Sunderland's preseason tour before rejoining the squad. Alderete is expected to begin his individual buildup before reintegrating into full training upon his return.
Leaves in pain against France
Alderete was forced to exit with apparent muscle discomfort after 58 minutes of Saturday's round of 16 clash against France.
Analysis: Alderete had recovered from a knee issue that left him out of one game, regaining a starting spot at the expense of Jose Canale. However, the Sunderland player was once again subbed off due to a physical issue, putting his participation at risk if Paraguay make it to the quarterfinals. This is a huge blow to the squad given that Alderete is usually active in defense, having led the team with an average of 9.0 clearances per game during the group phase.
Starting vs. France
Alderete (knee) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's Round of 16 clash against France.
Analysis: The Sunderland center-back didn't play against Germany in the Round of 32, but he's been deemed fit enough to face France's formidable attack led by Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. Even if Alderete isn't 100 percent healthy, his presence should boost the defensive line as Paraguay will face this game with a 5-4-1 tactical approach.
Late call to face France
Alderete (knee) is a late call for Saturday's match against France, according to manager Gustavo Alfaro, per VS Sports. "He worked well [Thursday], though he didn't do any on-field work; he did undergo physically demanding training and responded well to everything he did. We'll see how he responds in today's (Friday) session-it feels like an eternity since Omar was injured, but it was actually just a week ago. We'll see-based on how he responds, how he feels, and how he reacts to the workload-whether we can have him in the starting lineup or if he'll be available as a substitute."
Analysis: Alderete did not play for Paraguay in the round of 32 as he dealt with a knee injury and will once again be in question to play, as the defender has trained a bit but needs to be tested further. Unfortunately, this will leave him as a late call for the crucial match, needing to be examined ahead of match time to see how much he can play. Even if he is fit, it seems unlikely he will start, instead serving from the bench as Jose Canale starts again.
Hopeful for France match
Alderete (knee) has been working separately from the main group in recent days but the situation is evolving positively and optimism is growing within the Paraguay camp over his availability for Saturday's round of 16 clash against France, according to La Tribuna.
Analysis: Alderete's fitness remains a minor concern heading into the fixture, but the mood within the Albirroja camp suggests the experienced center-back is on track to be available for what promises to be one of the most demanding tests of Paraguay's World Cup campaign. His experience and leadership in the heart of the defense will be crucial in containing a French attack of considerable quality, and coach Gustavo Alfaro will be hoping the positive trend in his recovery continues over the coming days ahead of Saturday's fixture in Philadelphia.
Set to miss two weeks
Alderete (knee) is dealing with a left knee strain and is set to be out for the next two weeks, according to Joge Izquierdo of ABS Deportes.
Analysis: Alderete was held off the field in Paraguay's massive upset over Germany, and now looks like he will not return to play this World Cup, as the defender is set to miss two weeks. If this is the case, this will be a major blow for the team, as he is one of their top defenders and a major piece to the teams confiedence in defense. With Alderete out, Jose Canle will likely enter the starting XI again, as he should be carrying plenty of confidence after netting the penalty that lifted them past Germany.
Injury handled with caution
Alderete (knee) is not expected to be rushed back to action as he hopes to avoid a complication of the injury he sustained before Monday's match against Germany, but his status is uncertain in the absence of an official report, according to ABC Deportes.
Analysis: Alderete now seems to be unlikely to start against France in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, though the Paraguayan coaching staff might want to give him every chance to regain fitness given the importance and difficulty of the match. The defender played a major role in each of the group games but ended up missing the initial knockout clash with Germany, where Jose Canale took his place alongside Gustavo Gomez in central defense.
Unused Monday
Alderete (knee) went unused in Monday's 1-1 (3-4) penalty win over Germany.
Analysis: Alderete wouldn't see the field Monday despite making the team sheet, appearing not to be fully fit, as he would've likely seen the field if so. This will be something to monitor for the team as they advance to the round of 16, as they will likely want their lead defender fit to face either France or Sweden. His replacement, Jose Canale, would see a decent match with an interception, five tackles won and 15 clearances while also netting the game-winning penalty, likely to remain a starter if Alderete remains out.
Not starting vs. Germany
Alderete (knee) is not in the starting lineup for Monday's match against Germany.
Analysis: Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro wanted to wait for Alderete until the very last minute, but the Sunderland center-back wasn't fit enough to feature. This means Jose Canale will get the nod alongside Gustavo Gomez as his replacement, whereas Alderete's status will be uncertain not only for this match against Germany, but for the rest of the tournament as well.
Late call against Germany
Alderete (knee) is a late call for Monday's round of 32 clash against Germany, with coach Gustavo Alfaro planning to test him right up until the last minute, according to Phil Smith of the Sunderland Echo. "We'll test Omar tomorrow. He's still in pain. Although they did the tests, he's okay but in a lot of pain. There isn't much time to get him back in shape. So we're going to wait until the last minute."
Analysis: Alderete suffered a knee strain during Paraguay's draw with Australia, with scans ruling out significant ligament damage but the discomfort persisting enough to keep him training separately from the group. Jose Canale is the likely replacement if Alderete cannot prove his fitness, with Paraguay set to navigate a tough round of 32 fixture without their lead defender if he is unable to go.
Remains major doubt
Alderete (knee) is unlikely for Monday's match against Germany after tests on a strain in his knee, according to Alvaro Apontec of Vs Sports.
Analysis: Alderete has undergone his testing and doesn't look bright for the defender, as even though he avoided ligament damage, the strain appears to be too much to play through. This will be a major loss for the team, as he is their lead defender and has been solid thus far, forcing a change in what is already expected to be a tough match. If he were to miss out, Jose Canale is likely to take his spot, hoping to help pull out a major upset.
Not expected to face Germany
Alderete (knee) will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his left knee injury and isn't expected to be an option for Monday's Round of 32 clash against Germany, according to ABC Color.
Analysis: Alderete exited the 0-0 draw against Australia in the closing stages of the second half, and the fact that the defender will undergo an MRI suggests the injury will be tougher than initially predicted. Jose Canale is expected to step into the XI if Alderete can't play, but the loss of the Sunderland center-back would be massive for a Paraguay side that bases its strength on its defensive prowess.
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