Nueva Australia, a Paraguayan commune founded by Australian settlers in 1893, will host local residents watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match between Paraguay and Australia on Friday.
The town, located 130 kilometers from the capital Asunción, has approximately 4,500 residents, some of whom are descendants of the original Australian colonists.
Background
- Nueva Australia was founded in 1893 by about 200 Australian labourers, led by socialist William Lane, as a utopian socialist colony.
- The colony collapsed due to internal disputes over rules banning alcohol and relationships with local women, and was dissolved by the Paraguayan government.
- Many settlers returned to Australia, but some remained, and their descendants still live in the area.
Current Cultural Ties
"Some residents cook Australian foods and welcome Australian travelers. However, they identify primarily as Paraguayans."
According to resident Soel Gonzalez, residents respect the Australian team but will cheer for Paraguay. The match will kick off at 11 pm local time, with temperatures expected below zero.
Game Context
The match is the final Group D fixture for both teams.