Paraguay and France meet in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match on Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET from Philadelphia Stadium.
Paraguay are appearing at their ninth World Cup and arrive in the Round of 16 on the back of one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, defeating four-time champions Germany in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill was the hero, making six saves in that match to help La Albirroja advance.
France, two-time World Cup champions, have been dominant in this tournament, winning all four of their matches and scoring 10 goals while conceding just two. Kylian Mbappé leads all scorers with six goals across the tournament, while Ousmane Dembélé has added four goals and France average 3.2 goals per match through the group stage and Round of 32.
Below are the details on how to watch.
Kylian Mbappé against Paraguay’s deep, physical back line is something to keep an eye here.
France have been ruthless through this tournament, and Mbappé is at the center of it. He has 6 goals and 13 shots on target, while France are averaging 3.3 goals per match. France do not need long spells to break you down. They flood the final third, create chances in volume and Mbappé has been finishing those openings with almost no hesitation.
Paraguay have shown they can make life miserable for a favorite. They just dragged Germany through 120 minutes and a shootout, and Orlando Gill has already made 19 saves in this tournament. Paraguay also average 59.5 clearances per match, which tells you exactly how this game is likely to look if they are surviving wave after wave. If that line can keep Mbappé receiving with defenders on his back instead of facing goal, the whole match stays tense.
Watch the first few times Mbappé gets isolated near the box. That is where France’s control can turn into real danger fast.
Learn more about Paraguay vs. France and check the full FIFA World Cup schedule on FOX Sports!
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