France vs Paraguay: World Cup 2026 Round of 16 Preview

France is set to compete against Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled for Saturday in Philadelphia. France advanced after a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden, with captain Kylian Mbappé scoring twice and contributing to a total of 13 goals in four matches.

Under the management of Didier Deschamps, France has shown impressive attacking depth, with Mbappé now tied with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot, each having scored six goals in the tournament. Paraguay, managed by Gustavo Alfaro, has emerged as a surprising contender, having eliminated four-time champions Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Paraguay's disciplined tactics and ability to counterattack will be crucial as they face the formidable French side, known for its attacking prowess led by Mbappé, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé.