In a bold bid to place Paraguay firmly on the international sports map, President Santiago Peña has set his sights on hosting the 2030 Youth Olympics. During a recent visit to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, Peña formally presented Paraguay's proposal to host the prestigious event in Asunción, coinciding with the nation’s role in hosting the opening games of the men's soccer World Cup that same year.
Our primary aim is to transform Paraguay into a hub for major sporting events, said Peña as he addressed the press after engaging with IOC President Thomas Bach. The Youth Olympics, noted for featuring around 4,000 athletes across 32 sports during its 2018 event in Buenos Aires, would align perfectly with Paraguay’s athletic hosting ambitions. The country is already set to welcome the Junior Pan-American Games in August.
Highlighting Paraguay's capabilities, Peña emphasized, We have the organizational prowess needed. Despite being home to about seven million people, he acknowledged that Paraguay often remains under the global radar. For many, Paraguay is an unfamiliar, perhaps exotic name, he noted, suggesting this curious uniqueness could attract global attention.
The president, who is an economist with academic ties to Columbia University, pointed out that hosting international sports events is an effective strategy to boost Paraguay’s global recognition. Apart from the Youth Olympics, Paraguay is also eyeing the 2031 Pan-American Games.
Paraguay has a history of success in international sports, thanks largely to men's soccer. The nation earned its only Olympic medal in this field - a silver at the 2004 Athens Games. With direct entry as a co-host in the 2030 centenary World Cup, Paraguay joins Argentina and Uruguay in hosting initial games, preceding the remainder of the tournament in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
President Peña has been actively fostering relations within the sports community, having held discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the Paris Olympics last July. His efforts leading to the FIFA’s 2026 summit being scheduled in Asunción, points to his commitment in positioning Paraguay on the global sports stage.
Intriguingly, Infantino is also an IOC member responsible for voting on the 2030 Youth Olympics candidature. Although locations like Denmark, India, and Thailand have shown interest in hosting the 2030 Games, Paraguay’s determined campaign continues to gain momentum.
With the decision on the host city anticipated this year and Thomas Bach set to conclude his tenure by June, Peña expressed optimism. President Bach has been exceedingly supportive of Paraguay, he said, voicing confidence that Paraguay stands a good chance of being confirmed as the host nation for the 2030 Youth Olympics. Such a milestone would mark a significant chapter in Paraguay’s sporting narrative, allowing the country to stand out on the international stage.
