France enters this World Cup Round of 16 showdown looking every bit like a title favorite, but Paraguay has already produced one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by eliminating Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout. Saturday’s clash in Philadelphia will determine who advances to the quarterfinals to face either Canada or Morocco.
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How to Watch Paraguay vs France
- Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
- Stream: Fubo (try for free)
France has been one of the most dominant teams in the competition, winning all four of its matches while scoring 13 goals and conceding just twice. The attack has been led by Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Bradley Barcola, with Mbappé coming off another two-goal performance in the 3-0 victory over Sweden. Didier Deschamps has emphasized that France cannot overlook Paraguay despite the difference in pedigree, calling the South Americans “strong in the duels and very tenacious” after their upset of Germany.
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Paraguay has embraced the underdog role throughout the tournament. Gustavo Alfaro’s side stunned Germany after holding firm for 120 minutes before winning on penalties, with goalkeeper Orlando Gill emerging as the hero. Paraguay will likely rely on a compact defensive shape, hoping players like Julio Enciso and Miguel Almirón can capitalize on counterattacking opportunities against a French side expected to control possession.
This matchup also carries historical significance. The nations met in the Round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup, when France needed Laurent Blanc’s famous golden goal in the 114th minute to eliminate Paraguay on its way to winning the tournament. Deschamps captained that French team, while Paraguay arrived eager to avenge one of the most heartbreaking defeats in its World Cup history.
Another storyline to watch will be the weather. Forecasts call for extreme heat in Philadelphia, with temperatures expected to be among the hottest of the tournament. Both teams may need to manage their substitutions carefully, and hydration breaks could play a significant role in the flow of the match.
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Predicted lineups
France (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot; Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola; Kylian Mbappé.
Paraguay (4-3-3): Orlando Gill; Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, José Canale, Junior Alonso; Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, Matías Galarza; Miguel Almirón, Gabriel Ávalos, Julio Enciso.
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