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Padraig Whelan·4 Juli 2026
FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look out for in Paraguay v France 🇵🇾🇫🇷

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Padraig Whelan·4 Juli 2026

The FIFA World Cup 26™ Round of 16 action continues as Paraguay aim for another upset when they take on France at Philadelphia Stadium.
This is everything you need to know about the contest.
After a heavy defeat to the USA in their opening game, Paraguay have bounced back brilliantly, defeating Türkiye and then drawing with Australia to book their place in the knockout stages.
It was there that they pulled off their best ever World Cup™ win, defeating Germany in a tense penalty shootout to set up a showdown with one of the tournament favourites.
France have been in simply phenomenal form so far with no side laying a glove on them, beating Senegal 3-1, Iraq 3-0 and Norway 3-1 to reach the knockout stage.
Sweden were easily swatted aside in the Round of 32, a 3-0 win setting up this clash with Paraguay.

Paraguay had plenty of impressive performers from their penalty shootout win over Germany following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.
Julio Enciso had the highest Attacking Score of any player for that contest in the FIFA Power Rankings - powered by Aramco, registering 8.82, helped by his composed headed finish which put Paraguay in front.
Andrés Cubas topped the Defensive Score with 6.78, while goalkeeper Orlando Gill has become a national hero due to his penalty shootout heroics in the last round and he's likely to be kept very busy again.
One of the men who'll be keeping him busy is Kylian Mbappé, who is now on 18 all-time World Cup™ goals and whose brace in the last 32 against Sweden eclipsed all others for an outstanding 9.15 Attacking Score.
Michael Olise was a menace throughout and his 8.56 Creativity Score was clear of any other player on the park, with Bradley Barcola and Adrien Rabiot also impressing for Les Bleus.
Celebrations at 30,000 feet for the France squad after their impressive Round of 32 win over Sweden.







































