World Cup fans show out as San Jose welcomes Paraguayan national team to South Bay
SAN JOSE - If it hasn't yet registered that the World Cup is coming to the Bay Area, a trip to San Jose State's soccer facility should do the trick.
SJSU hosted the Paraguayan national team in its first stateside training session on Monday afternoon at the Spartan Soccer Complex, and hundreds of fans lined the bleachers for a glimpse of the team that will set up shop in the South Bay for the next month.
Some were local and some traveled from far and wide to get a taste of the biggest sporting event in the world.
"June has been all about the World Cup," said Viviana Figueredo, a native of Paraguay who has lived in Utah for the past 11 years. "And so it’s exciting to be here, to have our country represented. So that’s why we’re here, to support them and enjoy everything."
SJSU officials told the Bay Area News Group that around 400-500 tickets were sold for the opening-day event featuring FIFA's 40th-ranked team, which had a muted atmosphere but an air of anticipation.
Paraguayan players took a warmup lap around the field and then got to work navigating through passing, goalkeeping and shooting drills, ending the brief session with some penalty-kick shots. Then the players made their way over to the stands, where they signed autographs for fans, some of whom were wearing striped jerseys for the team known as La Albirroja, or "the white and red."
It wasn't until after practice ended that the fans in attendance really got into the World Cup spirit, with some chanting and singing intermittently on their way out of the complex.
"It’s part of our culture," Figueredo said. "It’s part of us. I’m not a sport person, but I love soccer. Soccer has helped unify people, and it’s creating a whole environment where people get together and enjoy it. It’s a way to enjoy time with families and friends. That’s super important. My whole family is traveling with me next week."
Figueredo said she plans to travel to Los Angeles for Paraguay's opening match on Friday against the United States and attend both matches in Santa Clara – June 19 against Turkey and June 25 against Australia. Those four teams make up Group D, with the top team from group play returning to Levi's Stadium for a knockout game on July 1.
Some locals also stopped by to check out the vibe, including fans of Paraguay's first opponent. SJSU grad Iber Moreno is a fan of the U.S. and Portugal but came out to experience the Paraguay camp as a fan of the sport at large.
He did some advance scouting for Friday's match while also getting some autographs from Paraguay's players.
"As soon as I got here, I realized that they’re gonna play Team USA in the first game, so that’s gonna be super exciting to see, knowing that I met some of the players," Moreno said. "I’ll see them on TV and be like, ‘Man, I met that player.' So I'm gonna be super excited to watch the game. And it’s obviously the home opener here in the country, so I think that’ll be doubly exciting to see."
Beyond the American connection, the magnitude of the occasion was what resonated with Moreno.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, man," he said. "Being a huge soccer fan, my family and I love watching the World Cup every four years. It's super exciting. It’s something that brings us passion to whatever country we support.
"And especially it being here in the U.S., it’s an experience that I’ve been waiting for, for sure."
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 2:37 PM.