Paraguay Ends 16-Year Wait, Qualifies For 2026 World Cup

Paraguay Qualifies for 2026 World Cup After 16-Year Absence
President Peña declared a national holiday to honor the historic feat.
Seventeen teams, including Morocco and Asian giants, have booked their tickets.

Paraguay erupted in nationwide celebration on Friday after securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their first return to football’s biggest stage in 16 years.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Albirroja sealed qualification with a tense 0-0 draw against Ecuador on Thursday, enough to secure the last automatic ticket from South America.

Within hours, President Santiago Peña declared Friday a national holiday, describing it as a tribute to the team’s “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,” Peña said, as thousands of jubilant fans flooded the streets of Asunción and other cities in celebration.

Paraguay last appeared at the World Cup in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa before losing to eventual champions Spain. Their qualification for the 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, will be their ninth World Cup appearance.

The Albirroja will join Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador as South America’s representatives at the expanded tournament.

Globally, at least 17 teams have already confirmed their participation. Africa’s first ticket went to Morocco, who thrashed Niger Republic 5-0 on Friday to book their place with two matches to spare. The Atlas Lions, who made history as the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar 2022, will look to build on that record-breaking run.

Other confirmed participants include co-hosts USA, Mexico and Canada, along with Japan, South Korea, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Australia and New Zealand from Asia.

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