Paraguay vs France Preview, Team News and Prediction

FIFA World Cup  -  Paraguay VS France
Match Time:05-07-2026 05:00 Sunday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Paraguay and France meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 in Philadelphia, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. La Albirroja arrive full of confidence after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Germany, while France continue to look like one of the tournament favourites following a dominant win against Sweden.

Match Preview
Paraguay produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far by eliminating Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time. Gustavo Alfaro’s side have built their success on defensive organisation, discipline, and resilience, making them extremely difficult to break down in knockout football.

France, meanwhile, have been in outstanding form throughout the tournament. Didier Deschamps’ side cruised past Sweden in the last round with a comfortable 3-0 win, extending their impressive scoring record. With attacking stars firing on all cylinders, Les Bleus remain one of the strongest contenders for the World Cup title.

Historically, France also hold the psychological edge, having eliminated Paraguay in the 1998 World Cup via a golden goal, adding extra narrative pressure to this encounter.

Team News
Paraguay are expected to remain largely unchanged after their heroic win over Germany. However, defender Omar Alderete remains a doubt due to a knee issue. In his absence, the defensive partnership of Gustavo Gomez and Jose Canale is expected to continue, supported by Juan Caceres and Junior Alonso at full-back. Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron will again provide attacking width, while Gabriel Avalos leads the line.

France have no major new injury concerns, although Marcus Thuram remains doubtful with a calf problem. Didier Deschamps is expected to stick with his strongest XI, with Kylian Mbappe leading the attack. Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola are set to support from advanced positions, while Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni anchor the midfield.

Player Situation
Paraguay will rely heavily on their defensive structure and the counter-attacking threat of Julio Enciso and Miguel Almiron. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill has also been a standout performer, playing a key role in their penalty shootout success against Germany.

For France, much of the focus will be on Kylian Mbappe, who continues to chase World Cup scoring records. Supporting him, Dembele and Olise provide creativity and width, while France’s midfield balance gives them control in possession and allows them to dominate territory.Result PredictionThis is expected to be a classic knockout clash between a defensively solid underdog and a technically superior favourite. Paraguay’s organisation and fighting spirit will make them difficult to break down, especially after their emotional win over Germany.

However, France’s depth, attacking quality, and tournament experience give them a clear advantage. If they maintain their usual intensity, Les Bleus should gradually wear down Paraguay’s resistance.

Prediction: Paraguay 0-2 France