Paraguay celebrates 2026 World Cup spot with impromptu holiday / Photo: © AFP
-
In fiery speech, Pope Leo says 'Enough to war!'
-
Andreeva to face Potapova in Linz WTA final
-
Holders Italy, Britain into BJK Cup finals, USA knocked out
-
Arsenal suffer title 'punch' by Bournemouth, Everton hold Brentford
-
Drean double breaks Glasgow hearts as Toulon reach Champions Cup semis
-
Teen star Seixas seals Basque Tour triumph, August wins sixth stage
-
Scores arrested at pro-Palestinian rally in London
-
I Am Maximus emulates Red Rum to regain Grand National crown
-
Leverkusen sink Dortmund to bring Bayern closer to title
-
Planes fly from Beirut airport despite Israeli bombing
-
Top US, Iran officials hold direct peace talks in Pakistan
-
Pogacar dreaming of Monument clean-sweep
-
Arteta urges Arsenal to stand up after 'punch in the face'
-
Iyer leads Punjab's chase of 220 to down Hyderabad
-
Buffets, baristas, but no briefings: journalists frozen out of Iran talks
-
McIlroy's Masterpiece remains the buzz at Augusta
-
Sinner brushes past Zverev to reach Monte Carlo final
-
Arsenal suffer major blow in Premier League title charge
-
Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine begins
-
Russia and Ukraine trade prisoners, drone strikes ahead of Easter truce
-
US and Iran envoys meet Pakistani PM as negotiations get under way
-
In Europe first, Netherlands to allow Teslas to self-drive
-
Sabrina Carpenter transforms Coachella into her own 'Sabrinawood'
-
Iran, Lebanon bore brunt of missiles and drones launched during war
-
Iran envoys meet Pakistani PM ahead of US talks
-
UK to shelve Chagos handover after Trump criticism
-
Russia and Ukraine trade drone strikes ahead of Easter truce
-
Somalia president congratulates World Cup-bound referee Omar Artan
-
After Artemis II, NASA looks to SpaceX, Blue Origin for Moon landings
-
Benin leans into painful past to attract tourists
-
Britain storm into Billie Jean King Cup finals with Australia thumping
-
Russia and Ukraine set to begin Easter truce
-
Hawks clinch NBA playoff berth with win over Cavs
-
Trump administration reveals plans for massive Washington arch
-
Carney poised to win Canada majority but affordability pressure looms
-
Artemis II lunar mission draws flood of conspiracy theories
-
Extra time at Augusta helps McIlroy make Masters magic
-
Panic buttons, undercover cops: How Peru bus drivers try to stay safe
-
Iran, US to hold peace talks overshadowed by mutual mistrust
-
'A perfect mission': Artemis II astronauts return to Earth
-
Artemis II astronauts return to Earth, capping historic Moon mission
-
Small US farm copes with fuel hikes from Mideast war
-
McIlroy seizes 36-hole record six-shot Masters lead with epic finish
-
Iranian delegation in Pakistan for talks with US, Vance en route
-
Rory McIlroy seizes Masters record six-stroke lead after 36 holes
-
Djibouti leader claims sixth straight term
-
Trump vows to boost Hungary economy if Orban wins vote
-
Mythos AI alarm bells: Fair warning or marketing hype?
-
De Zerbi 'not surprised' by backlash from Spurs fans over Greenwood
-
Marseille boost hopes of Champions League return, Monaco suffer heavy defeat
Paraguay celebrates 2026 World Cup spot with impromptu holiday
Paraguay celebrated an impromptu national holiday Friday after a draw against Ecuador saw the South American nation qualify for its first Football World Cup in 16 years.
President Santiago Pena decreed the holiday late Thursday as thousands of Albirroja fans took to the streets to celebrate a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, which secured Paraguay the last automatic South American qualifying spot.
Pena, in his announcement, said Friday would be dedicated to paying "homage to the epic campaign that has inspired the entire nation", even as some detractors said a national holiday was over the top.
Paraguay last took part in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Spain.
Their participation in the 2026 edition co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, will mark Paraguay's ninth World Cup campaign.
"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," said Pena.
C.Kreuzer--VB