Winger Gustavo Caballero earns World Cup call-up after impressive Portsmouth stint

Gustavo Caballero will be heading to the World Cup after impressing during a successful loan stay at Fratton Park.

The pacy winger, who netted one goal in 12 outings for the Blues, has been selected as part of Gustavo Alfaro’s 26-man Paraguay squad.

The 24-year-old initially linked-up with the national set-up following the campaign’s conclusion and was part of a 55-man warm-up camp last month.

Indeed, his contributions have earned him a spot on the plane for this summer’s tournament, which takes place in North America later this month.

Pompey loanee handed World Cup call-up

Despite representing his nation at youth level, Caballero only received his maiden senior call-up during the most-recent international break in March.

After coming off the bench on debut against Greece, the Pompey loanee netted as a second-half substitute during Paraguay’s 2-1 defeat to Morocco just four days later.

And having recovered from a groin issue, which forced him to sit out the Blues’ final five Championship matches, the Santos man shone in a pre-tournament training camp last month as head coach Alfora ran the rule over his 55-man squad.

Caballero has subsequently made the cut and has been included alongside the likes of Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez, former Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron and Strasbourg forward Julio Enciso.

Paraguay continue their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Nicaragua this Friday before settling into their training base in San Francisco.

Alfaro’s troops then take on the United States in their first group-stage game on June 13 before facing Turkey (June 20) and Australia (June 26).

It will mark Paraguay’s first inclusion in a World Cup since the 2010 World Cup where they progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time.

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Pompey and Gustavo Caballero latest

Caballero’s inclusion in Paraguay’s World Cup squad will further delay any potential talks over a permanent deal.

The winger impressed during a loan stay in the second half of the season, netting one goal in 12 appearances.

An option of £2.5m was reportedly agreed with Brazilian outfit Santos following his move on deadline day in February, although the Blues opted against triggering that clause.

John Mosuinho admitted Pompey wanted to renegotiate the fee initially agreed upon, which has since led to talks taking place between the player’s representatives and fellow Championship clubs.

A return to England and Europe is the forward’s ambition, regardless of whether the Blues can negotiate a move back to Fratton Park this summer.

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