Paraguay has booked its place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 GAA World Games after winning four of its six Division 3 group-stage matches in Waterford, Ireland. Competing under the name Las Arpas, the Paraguayan team travelled to the birthplace of Gaelic games to represent one of South America’s fastest-growing Gaelic football communities.
The team finished the group stage with a 4-2 record, securing one of three qualifying places from its seven-team pool despite a final-day defeat to Italy.
An Irish sport with a global reach
Gaelic football is one of Ireland’s national sports and is governed worldwide by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Played on a large grass pitch with H-shaped goalposts, the game combines elements of football, rugby, and basketball. Players can kick, hand-pass, and carry the ball while advancing towards the goal.
Teams score either a point by sending the ball over the crossbar or a goal by striking it into the net beneath the crossbar, with a goal worth three points.
The GAA World Games, held every two years, showcase the rapid international growth of the sport by bringing together developing teams from countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Early setback sparks turnaround
Paraguay opened its campaign with a 16-6 defeat to Benelux, a combined side representing Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Las Arpas‘ player Andrew Kaminsky says the squad struggled to adapt to the dimensions of a full Gaelic football pitch after training mainly on smaller grounds in Asunción.
“Maybe it was nerves, or maybe we just were not accustomed to playing on fields that big,” Kaminsky says. The team usually practises at Club Deportivo Alemán in Las Mercedes and at Santa Clara Rugby Club. They quickly found that Gaelic football pitches are much bigger. “I think our problem was that we were so spread out, the players on the pitch, that we just were not able to connect and help each other.”
The defeat prompted an immediate tactical adjustment, with Paraguay returning to the short-passing style that has become the team’s trademark. “We went back to playing how Las Arpas play. We stayed much closer together, much more like a team.”
The changes paid off in the team’s second match as Paraguay defeated Na Gaeil Nua 13-8 to record its first victory of the tournament.
Knockout place secured
Momentum continued with a controlled 10-6 win over Michael Collins, a team based in Virginia, United States. “We got up early, and we started playing more conservative, more defensive, and protected the lead,” Kaminsky says. “The game was never in doubt.”
Later that day, Paraguay faced European Wolves in a fixture that would largely determine which side advanced to the knockout rounds. Both teams entered the contest with identical 2-1 records. Europe Wolves made a stronger start, opening a four-point advantage, but Paraguay remained composed and gradually worked its way back into the contest.
“We did not feel like we were in trouble. We were still calm, cool, and collected. So we continued playing, and we started clawing back at that lead. And bit by bit, we evened up the game.” With Paraguay leading by a single point in the closing stages, Kaminsky supplied the decisive pass for striker Paul Bajac. Bachac’s late goal sealed an 11-7 victory and effectively guaranteed progression.
Kaminsky passed to striker Paul Bachac, who dove forward, punching the ball into the net. That goal finished the game. The next day, 15 July 2026, Paraguay completed its most convincing performance of the tournament, defeating Catalunya Yellow 20-5 after taking control from the opening minutes.
Battle for first place in group
The final group-stage fixture saw Paraguay face Italy. Both teams entered the match having won four of their previous five games. Victory would have secured first place in the group and a direct passage to the semi-finals. Italy prevailed 9-5, meaning Paraguay finished second and advanced to the quarter-finals instead. Paraguay will face Iberia, where the winner of that match will progress to a semi-final against Zambia, as the team won all of their group-stage matches.
“They scored zero goals, nine points. And they kicked well. They converted most of their opportunities, and they defended strongly. They shut down the centre of the field, which is usually our strong point. Our strength is attacking through the centre. They brought extra defenders into the centre to, to prevent that, and it disrupted our flow. We came up short. But it was a hard-fought game,” Kaminsky concludes. Despite the defeat, Kaminsky described reaching the knockout rounds as a significant achievement. “Only three of the seven teams in each group advance, so this is a big achievement for us.”
Paraguay concluded the group stage with victories over Na Gaeil Nua, Michael Collins, Europe Wolves, and Catalunya Yellow, while losses came against Benelux and Italy, ending the opening phase of the competition with four wins from six matches. Stay tuned for the rest of the GAA World Games, set to continue with quarter and semifinals taking place on Thursday, 16 July 2026. See livestreams, behind-the-scenes warm-up footage, and all things Gaelic Football by following Las Arpas on Instagram.
