Alfaro: 'We came to compete, not just to participate'

Gustavo Alfaro, head coach of Paraguay's national football team, has made it clear that the squad's presence at the World Cup is driven by a desire to compete, not merely to fulfill a participation quota. "We came to compete, and we compete," Alfaro stated, reinforcing a message he has consistently delivered since the team's qualification.

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We came to compete, and we compete.

He acknowledged that qualifying for the tournament after a 16-year absence was a monumental achievement for the nation. However, Alfaro cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that this success should not lead to a diminished ambition. The coach sees facing a formidable opponent like France, the reigning world champions, as a distinct privilege and a valuable learning experience.

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It is a privilege to play these kinds of matches. France is number one, it fell to us and we will try to complicate the path for the favorite.

Alfaro also addressed the inevitable comparisons to Paraguay's successful 2010 World Cup campaign, where the team reached the quarterfinals. While expressing respect for that generation's accomplishments, he stressed that the current squad aims to create its own legacy. "We are far from comparing ourselves to 2010. What they did was extraordinary," Alfaro said, adding that the current team seeks to build upon that history rather than live in its shadow. He highlighted a significant shift in the team's mentality over the past 21 months as a key factor in their current approach, hoping this "small story" will contribute to Paraguay's larger football narrative.

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We are far from comparing ourselves to 2010. What they did was extraordinary. That's why I was happy they went to greet the boys, because they are the history of Paraguay. We came to seek our own history, leaning on them and gaining momentum.