---
title: "Diego Gomez Return Gives Brighton Fresh World Cup Marker"
canonical: "https://readbrighton.com/2026/07/03/diego-gomez-return-brighton-world-cup-knockout-boost/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Brighton News"
published: "2026-07-03T22:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-07-03T22:00:00Z"
---

# Diego Gomez Return Gives Brighton Fresh World Cup Marker

**Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez is back in Paraguay’s selection picture before Saturday’s World Cup last-16 tie against France.**

[Sports Mole reports that Gomez is available again](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/paraguay/world-cup-2026/preview/paraguay-vs-france-prediction-team-news-lineups_600503.html) after serving a one-match suspension during Paraguay’s penalty-shootout win over Germany.

[FIFA’s match centre lists Paraguay v France](https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/17/285023/289288/400021533) for Saturday, July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium, with kick-off at 21:00 UTC.

> 🥲🇵🇾 Paraguay midfielder Diego Gomez (23) was in tears at his press conference when talking about experiencing his first ever World Cup with his country… manager Gustavo Alfaro immediately comforted his player. ❤️‍🩹 \
> \
> It's Paraguay's first World Cup in 16 years, so it's a huge… [pic.twitter.com/KMZrc6f3Gd](https://t.co/KMZrc6f3Gd)
>
> — EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) [June 12, 2026](https://x.com/eurofootcom/status/2065328748707151940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Hurzeler Gets Another Gomez Check

For Brighton, Gomez’s return is more than a World Cup subplot.

A knockout appearance against France would give Fabian Hurzeler another high-pressure look at one of his most important midfield assets. France’s athleticism and speed through central areas should test Gomez’s mobility, discipline and work without the ball.

[ReadBrighton has already examined how Gomez’s CIES valuation gives Albion a major midfield asset call](https://readbrighton.com/2026/06/30/gomez-cies-valuation-brighton-midfield-decision/). His availability for this game adds another live data point before pre-season.

Brighton’s midfield picture is still moving. European football, summer recruitment and post-tournament workloads will all shape Hurzeler’s early decisions.

A composed Gomez return against France would strengthen his case to report back to the Amex with genuine tournament authority.