Paraguay vs France: World Cup Round of 16 Preview
Paraguay face France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia in a World Cup Round of 16 tie that pits an underdog against one of the tournament’s form sides. Paraguay reached the knockout phase from Group D with 4 points and a goal difference of -2, showing a mixed record but resilience. Their broader 2026 form reads LWDW, with 4 goals scored and 5 conceded across four matches, plus two clean sheets hinting at defensive discipline when they get their structure right.
France arrive as Group I winners with a perfect 9 points and a +8 goal difference, powered by 10 goals scored and just 2 conceded in the group. Overall in 2026 they have won all four fixtures (form WWWW), averaging 3.3 goals per game and conceding only 0.5. In their last meeting, France dominated Paraguay 5-0 in Rennes back in 2017, underlining the historical imbalance.
Key Players
- Kylian Mbappé: 6 goals and 2 assists in four appearances
- Ousmane Dembélé: 4 goals and 2 assists
With such contrasting trajectories, France look strong favourites to progress.
