World Cup: Paraguay returns after 14 years of absence | OneFootball

For Paraguay, it's a return to the circle of South America's footballing giants.

World Cup: Paraguay returns after 14 years of absence

Thanks to a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Ecuador, Paraguay has clinched a direct spot at the 2026 World Cup—their first appearance since the 2010 edition in South Africa.

In a tense and tightly contested match, Daniel Garnero’s men showcased impressive defensive resilience, holding firm against Ecuadorian attacks to secure the crucial point they needed. This result ends fourteen years of frustration, a period marked by missed qualifications and generations unable to break through.

La Albirroja’s qualification is a tremendous relief for an entire nation, which now dreams of reliving the glory days of legends like Santa Cruz, Cardozo, and Cabañas. This time, a new generation led by Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso will shoulder the responsibility of writing their own chapter in Paraguay's football history.