Some 600 Paraguayans prepare to cheer on Albirroja in the U.S.

A contingent of around 600 Paraguayan fans is en route to the United States to cheer for their national football team, Albirroja, during the World Cup 2026.

Two chartered flights, exclusively booked for this sporting event, departed from Asunción carrying the passionate supporters. Rubén Aguilar, director of Airports at the National Directorate of Civil Aviation (Dinac), confirmed that the planes, operated by a North American crew, are set for a 12-hour journey to the tournament.

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They can carry more but since it's a 12-hour flight, they will surely limit it to 300, in order to carry more fuel, because it's a long flight.

Each aircraft is configured to carry 300 passengers, a deliberate choice likely made to accommodate additional fuel for the long flight. The flights departed at 00:30 and 02:00, with fans expected to arrive at the airport from 20:00 to manage the extensive documentation process before boarding.

The Albirroja's World Cup campaign begins on Friday, June 12, with their opening match scheduled for 22:00 local time. Their subsequent group stage games are on June 20 and June 25. Adding to the pre-game festivities, members of the musical group Purahei Soul, Jennifer Hicks and Miguel Narváez, have also departed for the U.S. to perform the national anthem. They plan to wear shirts made by artisans from Yataity and hope to perform the anthem in Guarani, pending organizational approval.

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I can't imagine what it will be like on board... all the people, that passion that will be traveling to the United States, I think it will be unforgettable.