Paraguay vs France Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 16
Paraguay pulled off a major shock in the Round of 32 at FIFA World Cup 2026 and the South Americans will have to pull off an even bigger one as they take on an excellent France side in the Round of 16.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – TBC / USA – FOX One
Paraguay preview: Fighting Paraguayans
Paraguay head into the Round of 16 for the first time since FIFA World Cup 2010 having defeated four-time world champions Germany on penalties. Going ahead in the first half via Julio Enciso, Kai Havertz equalised for Die Mannschaft in the second half but Paraguay remained solid to take the game into extra-time. Jonathan Tah had a goal harshly disallowed and it was then to be his penalty blazed over the bar that gave Paraguay a famous victory in Boston.
The Paraguayans began their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a very poor first-half performance as they were blown away by co-hosts USA, eventually losing 4-1. That was followed by a hard-fought 1-0 defeat of Turkiye, down to ten men for the entirety of the second half, and then a mutually beneficial goalless draw with Australia in their final game.
France preview: Extremely impressive
Didier Deschamps returned to the dugout after the passing of his mother with France booking their spot in the Round of 16 with an extremely impressive performance against Sweden. A brace from Kylian Mbappe sandwiched a Bradley Barcola strike, with Michael Olise getting his fourth and fifth assists of the tournament, and the scoreline flattered the Swedes in that one.
Les Bleus have been strong throughout the calendar year, bar a pre-tournament friendly defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in Nantes, and they are relentless in attack at the moment. Their three goals against the Swedes means that they have now struck 13 goals in four matches.
Paraguay team news: Diego Gomez returns
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Paraguay have been left frustrated throughout this tournament with their three star men in attack all having issues. Firstly, Julio Enciso was dealing with an injury. Miguel Almiron was then suspended and then Diego Gomez missed the game against Germany due to suspension.
The latter has now returned from suspension so he is back available alongside Almiron but former Brighton & Hove Albion forward Julio Enciso is a doubt after being forced off against the Germans, while Omar Alderete missed the game and also remains a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Canale, Alonso; Galarza, Cubas; Almiron, D. Gomez, Enciso; Sanabria
Unavailable:
Questionable: Alderete (Fitness), Enciso (Injured)
France team news: No need to change
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Didier Deschamps has a couple of selection dilemmas at left-back, in defensive midfield and on the wing but, rather than them being major headaches, he is more simply spoilt for choice and awaiting players to nail down the spot.
Lucas Digne got the nod ahead of Theo Hernandez and Lucas Hernandez at left-back but was a weak point against Sweden. Manu Kone dropped out in favour of Aurelien Tchouameni and that may again be the same, while Bradley Barcola scoring against the Swedes may keep him in the side ahead of his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Desire Doue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Paraguay’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Julio Enciso ($6.6m) – Midfielder
Miguel Almiron ($6.0m) – Midfielder
Matias Galarza ($4.8m) – Midfielder
Matchday 5 captain pick: Julio Enciso
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Julio Enciso
Free kicks: Julio Enciso
Corners: Diego Gomez
France’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Ousmane Dembele ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Michael Olise ($10.0m) – Midfielder
Kylian Mbappe ($10.5m) – Forward
Matchday 5 captain pick: Kylian Mbappe
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Kylian Mbappe
Free kicks: Michael Olise
Corners: Michael Olise
Key stats
- France won the two World Cup meetings between the teams; 7-3 in the 1958 group stage and more recently in 1998 when France head coach Didier Deschamps was in the team that defeated Paraguay 1-0 with an extra-time golden goal in the Round of 16.
- Paraguay have progressed from a knockout tie for the second time. Their only previous success in five attempts before their triumph against Germany was also via a penalty shoot-out victory against Japan in the 2010 Round of 16, following a 0-0 draw.
- A triumph for Paraguay would see them equal their best World Cup achievement of reaching the quarter-finals, which occurred in 2010 – their most recent participation prior to 2026.
- Paraguay have lost only two of their last ten World Cup matches (W3 D5).
- France have won 13 of their last 15 international outings (D1 L1).
- France have won 15 of their last 18 World Cup matches (D2 L1).
- France have prevailed in 17 of their last 20 knockout-phase matches at the FIFA World Cup.
- France have become the first team in the history of the World Cup to net three or more goals in five consecutive outings.
- France have scored 149 goals in World Cup history. Only Brazil, Germany and Argentina have reached the landmark of 150.
- The Sweden encounter was the seventh time that Kylian Mbappé has scored two or more goals in a FIFA World Cup match – more than any other player.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Paraguay vs France prediction
Following the appointment of Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro after five matches of CONMEBOL qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026, Paraguay succumbed to just two defeats in their remaining 13 qualifiers.
The South Americans have remained difficult to beat at this tournament, too, aside from being blown away with the energy of the Americans in the opening stages of their opener in Los Angeles.
France, though, shouldn’t be too fussed about that. Sweden couldn’t play with the aggression and complete defensive commitment of the Paraguayans, while Norway and Senegal don’t necessarily play in that style and Iraq lack any real quality.
Therefore, it could be argued that this is a new test for the French and it could therefore become problematic but the sheer quality of their players and form of their attack should mean another comfortable win for the 2018 winners and 2022 runners-up.
Paraguay vs France betting tip: France to win with -1 handicap
