Paraguayan President Santiago Peña will watch his nation's World Cup quarterfinal match against France from his living room rather than attending in person, saying he has become superstitious about his presence potentially affecting the team's performance.
Peña, a conservative former central banker first elected in 2023, has taken an unusually public role in celebrating Paraguay's World Cup run. He traveled to the United States for Paraguay's opening match against the U.S., where he met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. After that game ended in a loss for Paraguay, some citizens suggested Peña's presence may have jinxed the team.
The president subsequently skipped two matches, including Paraguay's second group stage game against Turkey near San Francisco and its knockout match against former World Cup champion Germany. Regarding the Germany match, Peña said he needed to remain in Asunción for a previously scheduled congressional address and a summit for Mercosur, the regional trade bloc whose rotating presidency he now holds.
Peña released a photo on social media watching the Germany match from his living room, wearing the country's red-and-white striped jersey — the same jersey he wore when signing an order declaring a national holiday after Paraguay eliminated Germany on penalty kicks. He had previously declared another national holiday last September when Paraguay clinched its World Cup spot.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative supporters of Peña argue that national sports achievements provide legitimate opportunities for presidential engagement with citizens. Supporters note that Peña's agenda includes positioning Paraguay as a hub for U.S.-backed data centers, and his meetings in California during the tournament were reportedly aimed at advancing that economic development goal.
"The president is entitled to enjoy these moments like any Paraguayan," said one government official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "His presence at matches generates enormous goodwill, and his decision to stay home reflects reasonable personal judgment about what serves the team best."
What the Left Is Saying
Some progressive critics in Paraguay have questioned whether extensive focus on World Cup celebrations aligns with pressing governance priorities. The president's decision to declare multiple national holidays around soccer matches, rather than attending games in person, has drawn mixed reactions from citizens who note that Peña frequently emphasizes economic development goals for the energy-rich nation.
"When Paraguay wins on the world stage like it did against Germany, it becomes clear cause for celebration," said Greg Ross, a Paraguay specialist at the Washington-based consultancy McLarty Associates. "It also offers an opportunity to project a sense of national unity that is usually difficult to achieve in the day-to-day of Paraguayan politics."
What the Numbers Show
Paraguay's World Cup 2026 performance marks a significant achievement for a nation of approximately 7 million people. The team defeated former champions Germany in a penalty shootout to advance, a result that triggered nationwide celebrations including the national holidays Peña ordered. Paraguay faces France in Philadelphia on July 4.
Peña was elected in April 2023 with approximately 42% of the vote in a crowded field. His administration has emphasized attracting foreign investment to develop Paraguay's energy sector and infrastructure.
The Bottom Line
Peña said he intends to watch the France match from home, replicating his approach during the Germany game. "I always receive invitations for every match as president, and I also have to say that, deep down, I'm a bit of a superstitious person, you know? So, I prefer to just watch from here," he told Paraguayan media. The outcome of Paraguay's quarterfinal against France will determine whether Peña gets another opportunity to celebrate — or whether this chapter of his World Cup involvement ends with elimination.