Paraguay vs France – Prediction, where to watch, kick-off time and line-ups 04-07

Paraguay and France meet in the round of 16 of the World Cup 2026. The match takes place this Saturday, 4 July at 10 PM (BST), at the Lincoln Financial Field in the United States.

France enters the knockout stage with an impressive winning streak, looking like one of the main contenders for the title. Paraguay, on the other hand, will be aiming to pull off a major upset, and this Paraguay vs. France prediction points towards a fascinating encounter.

Keep reading to discover our betting tips and a detailed analysis for this exciting encounter.

Paraguay vs. France - Head-to-head record

The history between these two national teams isn’t short, as those teams met five times in the past. Still, two of these events took place a long time ago.

Anyway, it was France that won three matches, and two games were tied.

That latest meeting took place in a friendly match back in 2017, where France secured a commanding 5-0 victory. This result from the only previous Paraguay vs. France fixture gives the French a clear psychological edge coming into this crucial encounter.

The overall Paraguay vs. France stats are therefore as straightforward as it gets: one match played, one win for the French. While this sole past result points to their dominance, a World Cup knockout match is an entirely different stage where new history can be written.

Paraguay - Resilient and hard to beat

Let’s take a closer look at Paraguay’s journey to the round of 16. We will analyse their current form, recent results, and tactical setup for the upcoming clash against France. Furthermore, we will delve into the expected Paraguay vs. France line-ups to give you a complete picture before this crucial World Cup match.

Recent form

Paraguay’s journey to the round of 16 has been a story of resilience. After a tough 4-1 loss to the USA in their World Cup opener, they tightened up defensively. They secured a 1-0 victory against Turkey and a hard-fought win over Germany after penalties.

This pattern of being tough to beat aligns with their recent performances. In their last ten games across all competitions, including friendlies, Paraguay recorded four wins, two draws, and four defeats. They demonstrate a stubborn defensive approach, capable of frustrating stronger opponents, though their attacking output can sometimes be limited.

Midfielder Julio Enciso provides much of their creative spark, contributing a goal and two assists. Defensively, the team relies on the solid presence of Gustavo Gómez. Alderete will be unable to play for Paraguay on Saturday. So, it remains uncertain if Paraguay can field its strongest eleven for the demanding Paraguay vs France knockout match.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for Paraguay

Gill; Cáceres, Canale, G. Gómez, Alonso; Galarza, D. Gómez, Cubas, Almiron; Ávalos, Enciso.

Manager: Gustavo Alfaro.

France - On an impressive winning streak

Let’s take a closer look at France’s current situation. We will analyse their recent form, key players, and expectations for this crucial World Cup match.

Recent form

France enters the World Cup round of 16 with a flawless record, winning all three group stage matches. They have scored 13 goals and conceded only two, demonstrating dominant form. Their victories include triumphs over Senegal, Iraq, and a 3-0 win against Sweden in the last round.

Kylian Mbappé leads their potent attack with six goals in the tournament. Michael Olise has also been instrumental, providing five assists in four appearances. This offensive strength poses a significant challenge for any opposing defence.

France’s impressive tournament run aligns with their recent form, having secured nine wins in their last ten matches across all competitions. With almost a full squad and only Thuram missing, their momentum is strong. They are clear favourites to advance to the next stage.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for France

Maignan; Digne, Upamecano, Saliba, Koundé; Barcola, Dembélé, Rabiot, Olise, Tchouaméni; Mbappé.

Manager: Didier Deschamps.

Paraguay vs. France - Stats

• France have been in formidable form, winning 16 of their last 21 international matches.
• Paraguay have won 10 of their last 21 games across all competitions, drawing six of them.
• The French attack has been relentless in this tournament, averaging 3.25 goals per match.
• The only previous meeting between the two nations was a friendly in 2017, which France won 5-0.
• Gustavo Gómez has played 390 minutes for Paraguay in the World Cup so far.

Predictions for Paraguay vs. France - French attacking display

France arrives with a flawless World Cup record, showcasing a powerful attack that has consistently overwhelmed opponents. Their offensive firepower makes them strong favourites, and a bet on “France to win by a margin of 2 or more goals" is a logical consideration.

While Paraguay has demonstrated defensive solidity, stopping the likes of Kylian Mbappé will be an immense challenge. France possesses the quality to break the deadlock early, making “France to win the first half" an appealing prospect for this knockout clash.

Given France"s relentless goalscoring form throughout the tournament, our main prediction focuses on the goals market. We anticipate that their attacking superiority will lead to the match having “Over 2.5 goals in total".

Paraguay x France
Tip	Tip	Best Odd
Asian Handicap	France to win by a margin of 2 or more goals	at BetMGM
Money Line	France to win the first half	1.57 at BetMGM

The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.

Best markets to bet on Paraguay vs. France

Discover other interesting bets on Paraguay vs. France for this exciting knockout stage match.

🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: 12 & Over 3.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM

France"s attack has been on fire, and they scored five in their only previous meeting. A high-scoring game with a clear winner is therefore a very realistic outcome.

🔥 Half Time Total Goals: Over 1.5 - 2.43 at BetMGM

The French side will likely try to secure an early lead to avoid any surprises. This makes a first half with at least two goals a valuable option to explore.

Where to watch Paraguay vs. France?

Find out where to watch Paraguay vs. France below:

• TV: BBC One (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr)
• Streaming: BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr)

Paraguay vs. France - Match details

Check out the match details:

• Match: Paraguay vs. France
• Competition: World Cup 2026
• Date: 04/07/2026
• Kick-off: 10 PM (BST)
• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, United States
• Broadcast: BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC One (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr)

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