Get our Paraguay vs France prediction, lineups, and betting odds for Saturday's match. Discover the best bets and bet builder tips for this clash.
Paraguay vs France Match Summary
Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 4 July 2026 |
Match Time | 22:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Philadelphia Stadium |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | RTE 2 |
France meet Paraguay in the World Cup last 16 at Philadelphia Stadium, with the 2018 champions heavy favourites to advance.
Paraguay have earned their place the hard way, knocking out Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw. They arrive as huge outsiders but with plenty of belief.
France booked their spot by seeing off Sweden 3-0, extending a run of form that has made them the team nobody wanted to face at this stage.
The pair last met at the 1998 World Cup, where France edged it 1-0 through Laurent Blanc's golden goal. Paraguay are still chasing a first ever win over them.
Paraguay vs France Form
Paraguay's win market has landed four times from their last ten outings across all opponents. Recent results include wins over Turkiye and Uruguay, but they were well beaten by USA and held Germany to a draw before winning on penalties. Against Germany they held just 22% possession, underlining how this side is built to defend and grind.
France, by contrast, have won nine of their last ten fixtures across all opponents. In this tournament they have beaten Senegal, Iraq and Norway before a clean-sheet 3-0 win over Sweden. Mbappé, Olise and Dembélé are all firing, and France have scored three or more goals in each of their last four World Cup matches.
Paraguay vs France Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Paraguay: O. Alderete (Injured/doubtful).
France: No injury concerns.
Paraguay
Brighton's Diego Gomez should return to the engine room after sitting out the Germany victory, having served a one-game suspension for two yellow cards in the group stages. Omar Alderete is set to miss out with a knee problem, so Jose Canale keeps his place in the back four.
France
France have no injury concerns. The only real debate is on the left flank, and after Bradley Barcola's goal against Sweden the PSG man is expected to get the nod once again.
Paraguay vs France Predicted Lineup
Paraguay
Formation: 4-4-2
Predicted Starting Lineup: Gill; Alonso, Canale, G. Gómez, Cáceres; Galarza, D. Gómez, Cubas, Almirón; Enciso, Ávalos
France
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: Maignan; Digne, Saliba, Upamecano, Koundé; Tchouaméni, Rabiot; Barcola, Olise, Dembélé; Mbappé
Paraguay vs France Key Stats & Match Facts
France are undefeated in their last five meetings with Paraguay in all competitions.
The head-to-head record across five meetings stands at three France wins and two draws, with Paraguay yet to register a victory.
Kylian Mbappé has attempted four or more shots in each of his last four FIFA World Cup appearances.
France have scored three or more goals in each of their last four FIFA World Cup matches.
When these nations last met in a friendly, on 2 June 2017, France ran out 5-0 winners.
Paraguay vs France Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: France have too much quality across the pitch and have the power to see off a stubborn Paraguay. We are backing the favourites to win comfortably, with a 0-3 scoreline the likeliest outcome.
Best Bets
Both Teams to Score - No at 4/7 (AK Bets). Paraguay have been shut out repeatedly of late and France's clean-sheet displays make it hard to see the underdogs finding the net here.
Over 3.5 Goals at 7/4 (Sporting Index). France have scored three or more in each of their last four World Cup outings, so a comfortable win could well push the total beyond this line.
Paraguay vs France Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder combines France's attacking quality with Paraguay's main offensive outlet: No Both Teams To Score, Kylian Mbappé anytime goalscorer, Ousmane Dembélé to score or assist, and Julio Enciso over 1.5 shots.
No Both Teams To Score is backed by France's outstanding defensive record. Les Bleus have kept six clean sheets in their last nine competitive internationals and have looked extremely difficult to break down throughout the tournament, making another shutout a strong possibility.
Mbappé anytime goalscorer is the standout attacking selection. The France captain has scored in nine of his last 10 international appearances and already has six goals at this World Cup, underlining his status as the tournament's most dangerous forward and a leading contender for the Golden Boot.
Dembélé to score or assist builds on France's attacking momentum. The Ballon d'Or winner has registered a goal contribution in each of his last three appearances, including a hat-trick against Norway, and looks full of confidence heading into the knockout stages.
Enciso over 1.5 shots rounds off the builder. Paraguay's brightest attacking talent has cleared this line in six of his last eight matches, recording shot totals of 3, 2, 1, 2 and 3 across his last five outings. Even if Paraguay spend much of the game defending, Enciso remains their most likely player to test the French defence.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 8/1.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Paraguay vs France Talking Points
This fixture lands at Lincoln Financial Field on 4 July 2026, the exact day of the United States' 250th anniversary, giving the occasion a real sense of theatre. Under Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay are in their first World Cup knockout stage since 2010 and, after stunning Germany on penalties, will fancy their chances of another upset. France, though, have been electric in this tournament, winning all four games and scoring 13 goals, with Mbappé, Olise and Dembélé looking a handful for any defence.
Paraguay vs France Predictions FAQs
When is the Paraguay vs France World Cup 2026 game?
The Paraguay vs France World Cup 2026 match is scheduled to take place on Saturday 4 July 2026 at 22:00 UK time.
Where is Paraguay vs France being played?
The match venue details for Paraguay vs France have not been officially confirmed in the tournament schedule yet.
What are the latest betting odds for Paraguay vs France?
The latest betting odds for Paraguay vs France are available across major sportsbooks as the World Cup 2026 fixture approaches.
Where can I watch Paraguay vs France?
Broadcasting and live streaming options for Paraguay vs France will be confirmed closer to the tournament kickoff.
Disclaimer
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