Over the past decade, football in Paraguay has undergone a profound transformation — one driven by a strategic partnership between FIFA and the Paraguayan Football Association (APF) that has reshaped the game at every level, from grassroots facilities to the senior national team.

The results speak for themselves. After 16 years away from the global stage, Paraguay's men's national team secured a place at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, ending an absence that stretched back to South Africa 2010.

Building the foundations

Since FIFA President Gianni Infantino took office in 2016, the FIFA Forward Programme has channelled development funding to Member Associations worldwide. In its current 3.0 cycle (2023–2026), each association can access up to USD 8 million — seven times the amount available in early 2016.

Paraguay's APF has received more than USD 10.5 million in total development funding, with USD 7.25 million directed specifically at infrastructure. That investment has delivered three high-performance technical centres and 17 fully equipped pitches across the country.

The first phase of the programme saw CARDE — the Albiroga Complex in Ypané — modernised and completed in 2020, gaining upgraded changing rooms, a high-performance gym, a press room, medical and rehabilitation facilities, an indoor training centre for youth teams, and an expanded team hotel.

FIFA Forward 2.0 followed with the 2022 inauguration of CARFEM, the Women's Football High-Performance Centre — a pioneering complex co-funded with CONMEBOL's Evolution Programme and the APF. CARFEM includes two team hotels, seven training pitches, broadcast booths, stands, boxes, and a specialised gym.

The most recent addition, CARDIF, opened in 2024 in Luque under the FIFA Forward 3.0 cycle. The High-Performance Centre for Youth Development Divisions features eight artificial-turf pitches and four blocks of changing rooms and gyms. The project earned the APF the Gold Award at the FIFA Forward Awards 2026 – Americas Edition.

Talent development and the Julio Enciso story

CARDIF has also become home to FIFA's first academy in South America under the Talent Development Scheme (TDS), a global initiative aiming to establish 75 elite academies worldwide by 2027. Around 3,000 boys across various age groups now train at the centre.

APF President Robert Harrison points to Ipswich Town and Paraguay midfielder Julio Enciso as a symbol of what that holistic development can achieve. Enciso first appeared at CARDE as a member of Paraguay's U15 national team. He went on to reach the top European leagues and represented Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.