Paraguay vs France prediction with World Cup quarter-final place on the line

Kylian Mbappe in action at the 2026 World Cup
Kylian Mbappe has six goals already this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Paraguay will be looking to claim another big scalp when they face France in the World Cup round of 16.

Philadelphia's Lincoln Ford Field is set to host this one, with kick-off set for 5pm local time (10pm UK time).

So what can we expect to see in this one?

Paraguay have already pulled off a shock - but France should make it through

Paraguay knocked out Germany in the round of 32

Paraguay have proven to be a tough adversary (Image credit: Getty Images)

Paraguay had a bit of a mare to start the tournament, getting pumped 4-1 by the United States in their first group game.

But they have reverted to showing the sterner stuff they showed in qualifying as they beat Turkiye 1-0 despite being reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time, then shared a goalless draw with Australia that both sides knew was very likely to be enough to put them through to the next round.

Orlando Gill made himself a hero in Paraguay's shootout win over Germany

Paraguay stunned Germany on penalties to make it here (Image credit: Getty Images)

Paraguay then pulled off the first surprise elimination of the tournament as they held Germany to a 1-1 draw before triumphing in a penalty shootout.

The overall impression is that Paraguay, on their day, can be very hard to beat and are capable of providing a shock. They had, after all, already beaten Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil in qualifying.

The difficulty for them now, though, is that France have been absolutely outstanding.

Didier Deschamps' side were already tipped among the favourites before the World Cup got under way, but they have quite simply been the best side in the competition so far.

France have scored at least three goals in each of their four games with their front line of Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise looking borderline unstoppable.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's third goal against Sweden with Michael Olise

France's front line has looked irresistible all summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

That makes it really hard to look past another comfortable win for the French here.

It would take une catastrophe for France not to be going through here.

  • Score prediction: France 3-0 Paraguay
Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

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