Key keywords: Paraguayan national men's soccer team, San Jose South Bay, 2026 FIFA World Cup, international friendly match, Paraguayan California diaspora, World Cup fan events, South Bay soccer community, 2026 World Cup host city Hundreds of passionate soccer fans packed Mineta San Jose International Airport and local fan zones earlier this week, as the Paraguayan men’s national soccer team arrived in the South Bay for a 10-day training camp and international friendly match, part of the squad’s preparation for the final rounds of 2026 FIFA World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers. San Jose, one of 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, has been ramping up efforts to position itself as a top destination for international soccer squads looking for high-quality training facilities and a diverse, engaged fan base. The Paraguayan team’s visit marks the first time a CONMEBOL World Cup contender has based its North American training operations in the South Bay, a milestone local sports officials say paves the way for more high-profile soccer events in the region over the next three years. The turnout from fans exceeded expectations, with an estimated 1,200 people showing up to the team’s first public training session at PayPal Park last Wednesday. Many in the crowd were members of California’s 70,000-strong Paraguayan diaspora, who traveled from as far as Los Angeles and Sacramento to catch a glimpse of their favorite players, including Newcastle United star midfielder Miguel Almirón, veteran defender Gustavo Gómez, and rising teenage forward Julio Enciso. Fans waved red-and-white Paraguayan flags, sang traditional team chants, and waited for up to three hours after the training session to get autographs and take photos with players. Local soccer organizations have also partnered with the Paraguayan Football Association to host community events during the team’s stay, including a youth soccer clinic for 150 underserved South Bay kids, a meet-and-greet with team coaches for local youth soccer programs, and a cultural celebration of Paraguayan food and music at San Jose’s downtown fan zone ahead of the team’s friendly match against El Salvador’s national team this Saturday. Ticket sales for the friendly hit sell-out status just six days after going on sale, with organizers saying 18,000 fans are expected to fill PayPal Park for the game. City officials noted that the visit is a key test run for 2026 World Cup operations in San Jose, as the city works to refine its fan experience protocols, transportation plans, and international team hosting capabilities ahead of the global tournament. “The energy we’ve seen from fans this week is exactly why San Jose was chosen as a World Cup host city,” said San Jose Sports Authority executive director Maria Garcia. “We have one of the most diverse, passionate soccer fan bases in the country, and we’re ready to show the world what the South Bay has to offer in 2026.”