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Alfaro Suggests 'Foam Needs to Settle' in Paraguayan Football After World Cup Exit
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Sports

Alfaro Suggests 'Foam Needs to Settle' in Paraguayan Football After World Cup Exit

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Paraguay's national football coach, Gustavo Alfaro, suggested that Paraguayan football needs "the foam to settle" following their World Cup elimination by France.
  • Alfaro expressed personal pain and the need to return to his family, hinting at a potential resignation after fulfilling his promise to coach Paraguay in the World Cup.
  • He reflected on Paraguay's performance, noting their competitive match against France and advocating for investment in youth development and infrastructure with any earnings from the tournament.

Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro believes Paraguayan football must allow emotions to subside after the national team's elimination from the World Cup in the round of 16 by France. "I want the foam to settle," Alfaro stated, indicating that both the football association's leadership and he himself need time to process the outcome.

I want the foam to settle.

— Gustavo AlfaroParaguayan football coach Gustavo Alfaro on the need for emotional calm after World Cup elimination.

Alfaro, who turns 63 on August 14, arrived in August 2024 and successfully guided a demoralized team to secure South America's sixth and final direct qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup. However, the recent loss has left him visibly disheartened. "I leave with great pain," he confessed during a press conference held in Philadelphia after the 1-0 defeat.

I leave with great pain.

— Gustavo AlfaroCoach Alfaro expresses his deep disappointment following Paraguay's World Cup exit.

He expressed a personal need to step back. "I need to breathe, I need to go back to my family," he declared, having previously promised his wife and daughters retirement. He had already postponed this decision once to coach Ecuador in the 2022 World Cup. When asked directly about resigning, Alfaro responded, "I can't answer that," but later added, "It's a family decision, not speculation. To continue here, what has been done so far is not enough for the 2030 World Cup."

I need to breathe, I need to go back to my family.

— Gustavo AlfaroAlfaro discusses his personal need for a break and time with his family.

Despite the disappointment, Alfaro highlighted Paraguay's strong showing, particularly their competitive performance against the world's number one ranked team, France. He noted that Paraguay pushed France to the limit, drawing parallels to their earlier victory over Germany and lamenting the decisive VAR-awarded penalty. Looking forward, Alfaro urged that any funds generated should be reinvested into youth development and grassroots football, emphasizing the need for a clear policy to foster the sport's growth in Paraguay. "In a year and 10 months, we were able to change a reality... Growth generates pain. Paraguay has to grow, and growth comes with pain. Are we prepared for that?" he concluded.

It's a family decision, not speculation. To continue here, what has been done so far is not enough for the 2030 World Cup.

— Gustavo AlfaroAlfaro links his potential departure to family considerations and future World Cup aspirations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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