Asunción Plaza Buzzes with World Cup Sticker Exchange
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Children and adults gathered in Asunción's Herminio Giménez plaza to exchange World Cup stickers.
- The event coincided with the growing excitement for the 2026 World Cup, which Paraguay will participate in after a 16-year absence.
- Former national team goalkeeper Ricardo 'Mono' Tavarelli attended the gathering.
The fever for the 2026 World Cup is palpable in Paraguay, with children and adults flocking to a special sticker exchange event in Asunción. The gathering took place at the Herminio Giménez plaza in the Mariscal López neighborhood, fueled by the nation's excitement for its return to the global tournament after a 16-year hiatus.
Panini's World Cup sticker album, a long-standing tradition, has captivated fans young and old as they race to collect images of their favorite national team stars. This Saturday's event, organized by local residents, was a direct response to the children's requests for a dedicated space to trade their coveted stickers.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the event featured a special guest: Ricardo 'Mono' Tavarelli. The former goalkeeper, a celebrated figure who was part of Olimpia's Copa Libertadores-winning team and represented Paraguay in the 2002 World Cup, posed for photos with the enthusiastic young fans.
Beyond the sticker trading, the plaza also hosted an environmental awareness talk on recycling for children, presented by the organization Mi País Sin Residuos. The World Cup itself is set to kick off on June 11, with Paraguay scheduled to play its opening match against the United States on June 12.
The sticker exchange was a special request from the children of the neighborhood.
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.