Country profile
Paraguay
Republic of Paraguay
Key facts
Capital
Asunción
Population
6,700,000
Confederation
CONMEBOL
FIFA code
PAR
Overview
Paraguay is a landlocked South American nation of around seven million, bisected by the mighty Paraguay River and famously bilingual in Spanish and Guaraní. From the bustle of Asunción to the vast Chaco wilderness, it is a country of fierce identity and quiet resilience.
Football is woven into the national fabric, a source of pride for a nation that has long punched above its weight on the continental stage. The red-and-white stripes of the Albirroja stir deep passion across the country.
Football culture
Paraguayan football prizes toughness, sacrifice and never-say-die spirit, embodied historically by legendary goalkeeper-captain José Luis Chilavert. Domestic rivals Olimpia and Cerro Porteño dominate a fervent club scene, and the national team commands unshakeable devotion.
World Cup history
Paraguay have appeared in eight World Cups, with their finest hour coming in 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa before falling narrowly to eventual champions Spain. They also reached the Round of 16 in 1986, 1998 and 2002, but missed both 2014 and 2018.
Location
Did you know
- Guaraní is an official language spoken by most Paraguayans alongside Spanish.
- Goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert famously scored goals from free-kicks and penalties.
- Paraguay is one of only two landlocked countries in South America.
- The Itaipú Dam was long the world's largest hydroelectric power producer.
- Asunción is among the oldest cities in South America, founded in 1537.
From Wikipedia
Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America. It borders Bolivia to the northwest and north, Brazil to the northeast and east, and Argentina to the southeast, south, and west. Paraguay has access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Paraná–Paraguay Waterway. The country is governed…
Source: Wikipedia →