The Paraguay national football team, also known as "Paraguay" (English: Paraguay national football team), was founded in 1906 and is managed by the Paraguayan Football Association. This team, known for its red and white striped jerseys, has achieved remarkable success on the international stage, most notably winning the Copa América in 1953 and 1979. Their best performance in the World Cup was reaching the round of eight in the 2010 South Africa World Cup, where they narrowly lost 0-1 to eventual champions Spain.
This team, wearing red and white striped jerseys, has achieved many remarkable achievements on the international stage. Most notably, they won the Copa América championship twice, in 1953 and 1979. Their best performance in the World Cup was reaching the quarter-finals in the 2010 South Africa World Cup, where they lost 0-1 to Spain, the eventual champions.
The 1990s and early 21st century were a golden era for Paraguayan football. With legendary goalkeeper Chilavert and captain Gamarra leading a formidable defense, the team qualified for four consecutive World Cup finals (1998-2010), reaching the round of 16 three times. This era was marked by an impenetrable defense, earning them the nickname "South American Italy."
Paraguay's greatest achievement in the Olympic Games was the silver medal in men's football at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the country's only Olympic medal to date. However, in recent years, the team has fallen into a slump, missing the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups, and urgently needs a new generation of players to restore its former glory.