Paraguay's World Cup debut venue gets national colors

Paraguay's national football team, the Albirroja, is set to make its return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence, with preparations underway at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The team's bench area has been adorned with national colors and symbols, signaling their readiness for the tournament's kickoff.

Due to FIFA's strict regulations against commercial branding during official tournaments, the venue has been temporarily renamed 'Los Angeles Stadium.' This rebranding affects all official signage and naming conventions within the stadium complex for the duration of the event. The technical areas, including the substitutes' benches for both the coaching staff led by Gustavo Alfaro and the reserve players, have been specifically decorated with Paraguayan symbols and the national flag.

The Albirroja has been drawn into a challenging Group D, which includes co-host United States, a European qualifier, and Australia. Their opening match is scheduled for June 12, when they will face the United States at 22:00 local time. This debut marks a significant moment for Paraguayan football, highlighting the team's return to the sport's highest global stage.

Following their encounter with the United States, Paraguay is slated to play Turkey on June 20 and conclude their group stage campaign against Australia on June 25. The team's presence in the tournament after a long hiatus underscores the anticipation and historical weight of their participation.