The report says some supporters are now trying to resell tickets after failed applications, with Ortiz claiming others are in the same position. It is an awkward reminder that qualifying for a World Cup is only part of the journey for supporters.
There is also a broader frustration here. Fans often book early because major tournaments reward speed, not caution. Flights rise, hotels disappear, and group-stage locations shape every plan. In that sense, supporters were not acting unusually; they were acting like football fans do.
There is, however, another side to the story. The US Embassy in Paraguay said demand rose sharply but that it had increased interview capacity. Its Office of Public Affairs and Diplomacy also said that “all World Cup ticket holders face the same security screening as any other applicant.”
That response may calm some nerves, but it is unlikely to silence them. A lack of detailed explanations for refusals tends to fuel speculation, especially when a major sporting event is involved.
Even with disruption, reports still point to a strong Paraguayan presence in the United States. That feels believable. Paraguay has waited a long time to be back on this stage, and that kind of return usually pulls people in.
The next big question is whether visa processing eases as the tournament draws closer. If it does, Paraguay’s end in California could still look and sound exactly as a World Cup should.