Paraguay qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and President Santiago Peña declared a national holiday.

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Nieto has fulfilled his previous announcements and declared a national holiday in his country this Friday, in anticipation of the qualification of his country's national soccer team for the 2026 World Cup , a tournament they will attend after a 16-year absence.

The team coached by Argentine Gustavo Alfaro secured a spot in the tournament to be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico after drawing 0-0 with Ecuador at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción in the penultimate round of the South American Qualifiers.

"It took 16 years since our last qualification... 16 years without hearing our anthem at a World Cup . Thank you Albirroja! Today the Albirroja returned. It returned with soul, heart and all the Guaraní grit," the president stated on his X account.

He added: "This is a dream come true for all Paraguayans, and that's why TOMORROW IS A HOLIDAY , so that all Paraguayans can celebrate together! We're back at the World Cup, and we're all celebrating."

It's been 16 years since our last qualification... 16 years since we heard our anthem at a World Cup. Thank you, Albirroja! Today, the Albirroja is back. It's back with soul, heart, and all the Guaraní spirit.

This is a dream come true for all Paraguayans and that's why TOMORROW IS... pic.twitter.com/5sruC8Sz94

— Santiago Peña (@SantiPenap) September 5, 2025

In the video that accompanied the post, Peña, wearing the Paraguayan jersey with the number 10 on his chest, mentioned that "there are kids who have never seen the Albirroja in a World Cup, and also compatriots who have waited a lifetime to experience this moment again."

“He returned with heart, soul, and all the Guaraní determination. This is much more than football . It's an entire country united. Thanks to the players, true warriors who left their souls in every ball. And thanks to the coaching staff for believing and working tirelessly. And thanks to you who always cheered because you believed in Paraguay,” he added.

And he added: “For all this, I made a decision: to declare a national holiday to celebrate together as a country and proudly shout 'Paraguay is back in the World Cup.'”

A law enacted this week allows the president to declare up to three holidays per year to celebrate special occasions.

Peña then dedicated one of them to celebrate his ninth World Cup appearance, following those in 1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010.

With the Guarani spirit that defines us, this team left their soul on the field. Today we feel pride, excitement, and hope…

Thank you, Albirroja, because we're back and stronger than ever 🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/50JSdBHfbO

— Santiago Peña (@SantiPenap) September 5, 2025

Minutes later, on the same platform, he made another post in which he wrote: "With the Guaraní spirit that defines us, this team left its soul on the field. Today we feel pride, excitement, and hope... Thank you, Albirroja, because we're back, and we're back stronger than ever."

The post was accompanied by another video showing the president talking with Alfaro, the architect of the qualification , to one of the songs that became popular during the 2010 South Africa World Cup.