RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Paraguay will seek international friendlies against the world's best teams as they begin preparing for South America's gruelling World Cup qualifying campaign, according to coach Juan Carlos Osorio.
Paraguay have not qualified for the World Cup since the 2010 edition in South Africa, when they lost 1-0 in the quarterfinals to eventual champions Spain.
The South American zone qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup will begin in October, but before then Paraguay hope to test themselves against the top sides in the FIFA rankings.
"We would like to play against national teams that made the last eight of the [2018] World Cup in Russia, such as Croatia and Switzerland," Osorio told FIFA's official website.
"With the new UEFA Nations League it will be difficult. But the idea is to familiarize ourselves with that level of competition."
Osorio last month agreed to coach Paraguay until at least the 2022 World Cup. The announcement came just weeks after he parted ways with Mexico following their round of 16 exit at this year's World Cup.
The 57-year-old Colombian said he plans to instil his trademark high-intensity playing style with Paraguay, adding that he will always be open to abrupt changes in tactics and formations.
"I won't renounce ideas that have characterized my teams for many years and that have historically brought good results," Osorio said. "But when it's needed I'll have a Plan B."
