Paraguayan fans across the United States are planning barbecues and get-togethers to watch their team’s group stage matches in the World Cup. The team, which FIFA currently ranks 40th in the world, is making its ninth World Cup appearance and first since 2010.

Local Angle

In Northern California, Cafe Guarani, a Paraguayan restaurant in Pacific Grove, is hosting a celebration to bring together Paraguayan fans between the games with traditional dishes that include manioc empanadas and iced yerba mate.

Santiago Araujo, 32, whose family owns the restaurant, scored tickets to see the team take on Australia in Santa Clara. ‘Every Paraguayan I know wants to go,’ said Araujo, who moved to California with his family when he was 11.

Team’s Journey

The team was sent off to the United States with a fanfare of fireworks, and some community members in the US said they have friends and family flying in from Paraguay to attend the matches. Paraguay’s veteran player, midfielder Miguel Almirón, plays for the MLS’ Atlanta United and is looking forward to the first match.

‘It’s going to be something beautiful in that moment, not just for me, but also for my family and for all the Paraguayan fans, and for anyone who’s been with us through all the tough moments,’ Almirón said.

The World Cup begins Thursday with Mexico playing the opener in Mexico City and co-hosts USA and Canada hosting their openers in Los Angeles and Toronto a day later. The 48-team group stage lasts until June 27, then the top two teams in each group along with the eight best third-place finishers will advance to the Round of 32 beginning on June 28.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.