Asuncion is the smallest and least-known host city at the 2030 World Cup, and that is exactly what makes it special. The Paraguayan capital will host one of the three centenary matches on June 8-9, 2030, with Paraguay playing at home in a brand-new stadium. For fans who want to be part of World Cup history away from the crowds, Asuncion is the hidden gem of the tournament.

Paraguay's place in the centenary is well earned: the country was one of the founding members of South American football and has a proud World Cup history, including a quarter-final run in 2010. Hosting a World Cup match at home is the biggest football occasion the country has ever staged.

Paraguay's centenary match will be played at a new stadium, the Estadio Osvaldo Dominguez Dibb in Asuncion, being built for the tournament. Details of the final capacity are still being confirmed, but the stadium is designed as a modern arena for Paraguay's national team and the country's biggest club matches.

Asuncion's food is simple, hearty and delicious. Start with chipa, the cheese-flavoured bread sold on every street corner, and sopa paraguaya, a savoury cornbread that is a national dish. Mbeju, a cheese pancake, is the classic breakfast. Wash it down with terere, the cold herbal tea that Paraguayans drink all day — it is the national drink and a social ritual. For dinner, try a parrillada, the mixed grill of meats, at one of the restaurants along the Costanera. The food is affordable, filling and a big part of the Asuncion experience.