Paraguay vs France takes place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) in a blockbuster Round of 16 clash. France are heavy favorites, but Paraguay have already produced one of the biggest shocks of the tournament by knocking out Germany on penalties.
After a dramatic 1-1 draw and 4-3 penalty shootout win over Germany in the Round of 32, Paraguay’s fairy-tale run continues. France, meanwhile, have been clinical and dominant, winning their last four matches without conceding a single goal.
This blockbuster knockout fixture coincides with America’s 250th birthday celebrations in Philadelphia. Heavy tournament favorites France arrive in ruthless form after a 3-0 shutout against Sweden.
Meanwhile, tournament underdogs Paraguay are riding a historic high after stunning four-time world champions Germany in a dramatic Round of 32 penalty shootout.
Paraguay vs France Match Details – 2026 World Cup Round of 16
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
- Date & Time: Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 4:00 PM ET
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Paraguay Preview & Team News
Young star Julio Enciso picked up a knock in the last match and is still a big injury doubt. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who turned into a national hero in the shootout win over Germany, will need another huge performance to keep the French attack at bay. Paraguay have no other major worries, and Enciso is working hard to be fit. The squad is fired up and confident they can pull off another upset.
Gustavo Alfaro’s side have shown incredible organization and fighting spirit. They frustrated Germany for long periods and capitalized in the shootout. Their defensive structure remains their biggest strength.
Key Strengths:
- Extremely well-organized and difficult to break down.
- Dangerous on set-pieces and counter-attacks.
- Strong leadership from captain Gustavo Gómez.
Paraguay Starting XI (4-3-3):
Orlando Gill; Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Alexandro Maidana; Andrés Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Mathias Villasanti; Miguel Almirón, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso (if fit).
France Preview & Team News
Kylian Mbappé enters the game in electric form with 6 tournament goals so far, chasing the Golden Boot. He is supported heavily by playmaker Michael Olise (5 tournament assists) and Ousmane Dembélé. Marcus Thuram is ruled out with an injury.
Didier Deschamps’ side are in excellent form. They have scored freely while keeping clean sheets and look like genuine title contenders once again.
France are close to full strength. Mbappé is fully fit and in top form. No major injury worries for Deschamps.
Key Strengths:
- World-class attacking talent led by Kylian Mbappé.
- Strong midfield control and defensive solidity.
- Experience in knockout football.
France Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernández; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga; Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola; Marcus Thuram.
Head-to-Head & Key Battles
France has a strong historical record against Paraguay, with Les Bleus typically coming out on top in past encounters.
Key Battles to Watch:
- Kylian Mbappé vs Paraguay’s full-backs — Can Mbappé find space behind the defense?
- France’s Midfield vs Paraguay’s Compact Block — Can Tchouaméni and Camavinga break the lines?
- Set Pieces — Paraguay are dangerous from dead balls; France must stay alert.
H2H History
France dominates the historical head-to-head record against Paraguay, remaining completely undefeated across their 5 previous international matchups. La Albirroja has never beaten Les Bleus, managing 3 losses and 2 draws since their first meeting in 1958.
Match Prediction: France 3-1 Paraguay
France is the better team and have been in excellent form. They boast superior quality in every area and are likely to dominate the game for long stretches.
Paraguay will make it difficult with their organized shape and set-piece threat, just like they did against Germany. However, France’s attacking firepower (especially Mbappé) should eventually prove too much.
Most likely scoreline: France 3-1 Paraguay
Paraguay vs France Recent Games Performance
Paraguay Recent Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Jun 29 | vs Germany | W 1-1 (4-3 pens) |
| Thu, Jun 25 | vs Australia | D 0-0 |
| Fri, Jun 19 | vs Türkiye | L 0-1 |
| Fri, Jun 12 | vs USA | L 1-4 |
France Recent Games
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Jun 30 | vs Sweden | W 3-0 |
| Fri, Jun 26 | vs Norway | W 4-1 |
| Mon, Jun 22 | vs Iraq | W 3-0 |
| Tue, Jun 16 | vs Senegal | W 3-1 |
Where is the Venue of the Paraguay vs France match?
Philadelphia Stadium
Philadelphia Stadium will host this Independence Day clash. Expect a passionate atmosphere with strong French support and a vocal Paraguayan contingent. The venue has been excellent throughout the tournament.
How to Watch Paraguay vs France in the USA & Canada
You can watch Paraguay vs France Round of 16 live streams in the English-language broadcast live on FOX or stream it on FOX One, or catch the Spanish-language broadcast on Telemundo or Peacock
- English: FOX or FS1
- Spanish: Telemundo / Universo
- Streaming: Peacock, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV
Final Thoughts
France are the clear favorites and should reach the quarter-finals with little difficulty. That said, Paraguay have already proven they fear no one. If they can disrupt France’s rhythm and strike on the counter, they might make things tricky.
