World Cup Round of 16: Paraguay vs. France with Roma and Milan stars | OneFootball

Roma midfielder Manu Koné starts for France with Milan pair Adrien Rabiot and Mike Maignan in the World Cup Round of 16 against Antonio Sanabria’s Paraguay.

It kicks off in Philadelphia at 22.00 UK time (23.00 CEST).

The winners will go on to face either Canada or Morocco in the quarter-final on July 9.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Matheus Cunha of Brazil runs with the ball against Adrien Rabiot of France during the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Les Bleus have emerged as the hot favourites to win the trophy, having narrowly missed out in the 2022 Final against Argentina.

They won every match convincingly, 3-1 against Senegal, 3-0 with Iraq, 4-1 over a reshuffled Norway, and 3-0 in the Round of 32 to sweep Sweden aside.

Kylian Mbappé is a leading candidate for the Golden Boot on six goals in four games, though Ousmane Dembélé is hot on his heels.

France’s goalkeeper #16 Mike Maignan (L) and France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe react prior to the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP) (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

There is plenty of Serie A involvement, although Inter striker Marcus Thuram is again ruled out by a muscular problem, along with Aurelien Tchaoumeni.

With that in mind, Roma midfielder Koné takes the reins alongside Milan veteran Rabiot.

Rossoneri goalkeeper Maignan celebrated his birthday this week and keeps the gloves.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 26: Manu Kone #6 of France is challenged by Patrick Berg #6 of Norway during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Norway and France at Boston Stadium on June 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Paraguay started out with a dismal 4-1 defeat to the USA, but then surprised Turkiye 1-0, held Australia 0-0, and caused the shock of the competition when knocking out Germany on penalties.

The hero was goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who has been heavily linked with a potential Serie A move to Torino.

Cremonese centre-forward Antonio Sanabria is on the bench, but Diego Gomez returns from suspension, while Omar Alderete is still struggling with a knee injury.

There are strong concerns that thunderstorms could cause problems during tonight’s match.

Paraguay vs. France line-ups

Paraguay: Gill; Caceres, G Gomez, Velazquez, Alderete, Alonso; D Gomez, Cubas, Galarza, Almiron; Enciso

France: Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Dembélé, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé