Paraguay marked a spontaneous national celebration after securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years by drawing against Ecuador.
President Santiago Pena declared a holiday on Friday following a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, granting Paraguay the last automatic South American qualifying place, amid enthusiastic celebrations by thousands of Albirroja fans flooding the streets.
Pena announced that Friday would be a day to honor the remarkable journey that has captivated the entire nation, despite some criticism that a national holiday was excessive.
“There are young people who have never witnessed the Albirroja in a World Cup. There are Paraguayans who have longed for this moment for a lifetime,” stated Pena.
Paraguay’s previous appearance was in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Spain.
Their participation in the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will be Paraguay’s ninth World Cup campaign.
AFP
