Paraguay pulled off the impossible, whereas France did what everybody expected them to. Still, their paths have now crossed in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. It will be a true David-versus-Goliath showdown, but La Albirroja already slayed one giant by eliminating Germany from the World Cup and are determined to do it again. Les Bleus will be unlike anything they’ve ever come across before, though.
Just when everybody expected Germany and France to meet in the Round of 16, Paraguay had the final say. Instead, the July 4 matchup at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), will feature Paraguay and France for a ticket to the quarterfinals. Kickoff is scheduled at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Paraguay will have to go up against yet another multi-time World Cup champion. Either way, Gustavo Alfaro’s side is prepared for the challenge. Led by their goalkeeper Orlando Gill and his heroic performances, Paraguay back in a Round of 16 in a World Cup, and they can dream even bigger.
France vs. Paraguay: the narrative behind the game
However, Paraguay will be up for a steep climb. The reward for eliminating Germany is to face the 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 runner-ups. France have made it to World Cup finals in each of their last two appearances.
Orlando Gill, Paraguay’s shootout hero.
Determined to make that three in a row, they will have no mercy against Paraguay, even if La Albirroja have become the Cinderella team of the World Cup overnight.
Paraguay, however, wouldn’t want it any other way. Determined to hunt even more “impossible utopias,” the Guaranies hope their memorable summer (it’s actually winter in Paraguay) is only getting started in the United States. In the meantime, Paraguay’s FIFA ranking will only go up. And so will France’s.
Paraguay snap their drought
Paraguay have won their first knockout-stage game at a World Cup since 2010. Once again, through a penalty shootout. Still, they need another win in the upcoming Round of 16 to match their best finish ever in the tournament, which was reaching the quarterfinals in 2010. That time around, Paraguay were eliminated by Spain, who went on to win the championship.
Facing the likes of France, history could very well repeat itself, with Paraguay’s grim reaper becoming world champion once again. However, that won’t be something La Albirroja strive for or look forward to. Instead, they will vie to send another message at the 2026 World Cup and land a massive blow that completely alters how the tournament looks.
Third World Cup meeting between France and Paraguay
When the French and Paraguayan national teams meet in Philadelphia, it will be the third time the two sides have faced each other in FIFA World Cup history. As it stands, France are unbeaten, thanks to a 7-3 blowout victory in 1958 and a 1-0 win in 1998. However, there’s a saying about third times, and Paraguay will surely cling to it.
France have fond memories of their meetings with Paraguay at World Cups. In 1998, they eliminated Paraguay in the Round of 16 and went on to win their first-ever world championship. Will history repeat itself in 2026? Or will Paraguay finally break their hex and defeat France for the first time in national team history?
