Paraguay erupted in celebration on Friday after securing a place at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years, with President Santiago Peña declaring a national holiday to mark the achievement.
The Albirroja held Ecuador to a goalless draw in their final qualifier on Thursday night, a result that guaranteed the last automatic South American ticket to the 2026 tournament.
In his announcement, Peña said the day off was meant to pay “homage to the epic campaign that has inspired the entire nation.”
“There are kids who have never seen the Albirroja in a World Cup. There are Paraguayans who have waited a lifetime to experience this moment again,” the president said.
Thousands of fans flooded the streets across the country, waving flags and chanting in celebration, though some critics argued that declaring a holiday was excessive.
Paraguay last featured at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Spain. Their qualification for the 2026 edition, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will be the nation’s ninth appearance at the global showpiece.
