Paraguayan President Santiago Peña: “Football Is Not Just a Game, It’s a Tool for Social Change”

At the FIFA Congress held in Asunción, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña delivered a passionate speech emphasizing the transformative power of football beyond the pitch. “Football gets kids off the streets, away from drugs and crime. It has never been just about the sport,” he told the assembly.

Peña noted the global reach of the event, claiming that “there are more countries represented at this FIFA Congress than at the United Nations.” He added, “Football is humanity’s greatest passion.”

The president also reflected on Paraguay’s economic and social progress, highlighting that the country has seen the most growth in the region over the past 35 years. “We are ready to become a true global hub for elite sporting events,” he said, referencing Paraguay’s role—alongside Argentina and Uruguay—as a co-host for the opening matches of the 2030 World Cup.

Peña framed sport as a pillar of public policy. “We’ve taken sport seriously as a tool for personal development and social inclusion,” he stated. To him, football points the way toward a better humanity, rooted in shared values rather than individual pursuits.