World Cup 2026: Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Declares National Holiday After Shock Win over Germany
July 1, 2026 · Global
Paraguay's president declared a national holiday following his team's shock victory over Germany in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup, marking a historic moment for the country.
Football fans couldn't have asked for a better start to the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. Of the three matches that took place on Monday, two of them ended in penalty shootouts, while another ended after a goal in stoppage time. Although Morocco and Brazil deserve a lot of credit for their exciting wins, Paraguay's win was arguably the most surprising. Although Germany has not performed well at the World Cup in recent years, the country is considered one of the big powers in the event. When Paraguay pulled off a surprising win in extra time, no one celebrated louder than Paraguay fans, including the country's president, Santiago Peña. Peña enjoyed the win so much that he declared Tuesday a national holiday in honor of his team's victory over Germany. Peña's office issued a statement asking fans to use the day to "unite and celebrate a day that unites millions of fellow citizens under one flag and revives the hope of an entire nation." He ended his statement by saying that this win is proof that great things are possible when people work together. "The national team's qualification returns Paraguay to a place of prominence in world football. It is proof that teamwork, discipline, sacrifice and belief allow us to achieve extraordinary goals." Today, Albirroja celebrates. Today, all of Paraguay is celebrating!" To say that it was a surprising result would be an understatement. Coming into the game, the last time Paraguay played in the Round of 32 was in 2002. The country didn't even qualify for the last three World Cups. In its short history at the World Cup, Paraguay has only reached the Round of 16. That happened only three times, including 2026. On the other hand, Germany has a rich history in World Cups. Although the team failed to make it out of the group stage in in 2022 and 2018, they won the 2014 World Cup, finished third in 2010 and 2006, and were runners-up in 2002. Germany has won the event three more times — 1954, 1974 and 1990. Paraguay needed every minute — and more — to clinch victory over Germany on Monday Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill made save after save to keep the score tied at 1–1. The match eventually went into extra time, where it looked like Germany had finally scored and won. However, the team's goal was ruled out after replays showed that Gill had been fouled in the game. Finally, the match went to a penalty shootout, and even that was not enough to determine the winner Paraguay into the Round of 16. This marks the first time in World Cup history that Germany has suffered a defeat in a penalty shootout at the event.