From TV Viewer to Leading Paraguay’s World Cup Quest

Paraguay is close to returning to the World Cup, and Diego Gómez symbolizes this change. As reported by D10, the Brighton midfielder mentioned that when Paraguay last qualified for the tournament in 2010, he was just six years old and watched the celebrations on TV. Now at 22, he is ready to play a key role in the crucial match that could take Paraguay back to the global competition.

Coach Gustavo Alfaro sees him as an essential player for the game against Ecuador on September 4 at Defensores del Chaco Stadium. Paraguay only needs a draw to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, but even if they lose, they might still qualify if Venezuela doesn’t defeat Argentina in Buenos Aires. Gómez, however, wants to achieve more. “Let’s hope we don’t just draw; we can also win to make it more special,” he said.

The midfielder shared his excitement about this moment, saying he has been looking forward to it since the earlier qualifiers. “I was already anxious for this date to arrive. Now that I’m here, I’m just waiting for Thursday,” he explained. His comments reflect the hope of both himself and the team, as Paraguay has not been in the tournament for the last three editions.

For the team, Thursday’s match is a chance to qualify and to revive a proud tradition. For Gómez, playing in this match means moving from being a young boy watching the game to joining a generation committed to bringing Paraguay back to the world stage.