Paraguay - France: score, highlights and statistics

On Saturday, 4 July 2026 at 22:00 BST, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia hosts one of the most intriguing Round of 16 ties of the 2026 FIFA World Cup - Paraguay take on France. The South Americans arrive as the tournament's biggest surprise act, having eliminated Germany on penalties in the Round of 32, while France have won all four of their matches and scored 13 goals. The only World Cup meeting between these nations came at France 1998, where a Laurent Blanc golden goal ended Paraguay's campaign.

Match Info: Paraguay vs France

Paraguay face France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on Saturday, 4 July 2026 at 22:00 BST (21:00 UTC) at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Where to Watch Paraguay vs France?

UK viewers can follow the clash between Paraguay and France on BBC Radio 5 Live and TalkSport Radio UK for live radio commentary. In Ireland, the match is available on RTÉ2 on television and via RTÉ Player online, alongside the same radio options.

Fans in the United States have the widest choice: FOX and Telemundo carry the television broadcast, while online options include FOX One, Fubo TV, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, and SiriusXM FC for radio. In Canada, CTV, TSN1 and RDS cover the match on television, with TSN+ and RDS.ca available online.

Paraguay supporters can watch at home on Trece (TV) or via the GEN and POPU TV streaming platforms. Across the rest of South America, DIRECTV Sports and Paramount+ carry the match in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay. In Australia, SBS TV airs the game with SBS On Demand available for streaming, while New Zealand viewers can tune in on TVNZ+.

Match between Paraguay and France - Preview

Paraguay's run to the Round of 16 is the defining story of the 2026 World Cup so far - La Albirroja returned to the tournament after a 16-year absence and immediately knocked out Germany, the first time a South American side had eliminated the Germans at a World Cup since 2002.

The meeting of Paraguay and France now presents a vastly different challenge. France entered this tournament ranked third in the world and have been flawless throughout: three group-stage victories followed by a 3-0 dismantling of Sweden in the Round of 32, with Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé each registering four goals. That attacking firepower will test the organised Paraguayan defensive block that coach Gustavo Alfaro has built this tournament.

Julio Enciso, Paraguay's most creative force, and goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who saved crucial penalties against Germany, will both need to be at their absolute best. The 38-place gap in FIFA rankings makes this the largest mismatch of the current round, yet Paraguay have already proved that statistics alone do not decide knockout football.

Head-to-Head: Paraguay vs France

France hold a commanding record over Paraguay across 5 historical meetings - two wins for Les Bleus, zero for La Albirroja, and two draws - though their 1998 World Cup encounter remains one of the most dramatic in tournament history, decided by the first-ever golden goal in World Cup football.

Here are all known meetings between Paraguay and France:

• 7 June 1958 - FIFA World Cup, Group Stage - France 7:3 Paraguay
• 28 June 1998 - FIFA World Cup, Round of 16 - France 1:0 Paraguay (golden goal, 114')
• 31 May 2008 - International Friendly - France 0:0 Paraguay
• 1 June 2014 - International Friendly - France 1:1 Paraguay
• 2 June 2017 - International Friendly - France 5:0 Paraguay

Paraguay - Recent Form

Paraguay arrive at this fixture on the back of a historic penalty shootout victory over Germany - a 1-1 draw after extra time followed by a 4-3 win on spot-kicks - which is already being called the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup.

Across their last five matches, La Albirroja recorded one win, three draws and one defeat. Julio Enciso headed them in front against Germany in the 42nd minute before Havertz equalised, sending the tie to penalties. Earlier in the group stage, Paraguay drew 0-0 with Australia and defeated Türkiye 1-0. Their 4-1 loss to the host United States was a setback, yet Paraguay bounced back to beat Nicaragua 4-0 in their pre-tournament warm-up. The defence kept clean sheets in three of their last six outings - a disciplined record that will be severely tested by France's attack.

France - Recent Form

France arrive in Philadelphia as the form team of the entire tournament - four wins, 13 goals scored and just 2 conceded, with a perfect 100% win rate since the first whistle of the group stage.

Les Bleus opened with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, followed by a 3-0 win against Iraq and a dominant 4-1 defeat of Norway. In the Round of 32 they faced Sweden and produced their most complete performance yet, winning 3-0 with Mbappé bagging a brace. The captain is chasing Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record and is in the form of his life - a prospect that will make Paraguay's defensive preparation one of the most demanding of the entire tournament.

Facts and Statistics

Paraguay and France have crossed paths on five occasions since 1958, with their meetings ranging from a high-scoring group-stage thriller to one of the most celebrated golden goals in World Cup history. The 2026 encounter is their first competitive fixture in 28 years.

• Laurent Blanc scored the first-ever golden goal in World Cup history against Paraguay, in the 114th minute at France 1998.
• Across their 5 meetings, France have scored 14 goals to Paraguay's 4.
• Paraguay's elimination of Germany was the first time a South American side knocked Germany out at a World Cup since Brazil in 2002.
• Before the tournament, France were ranked third in the official FIFA World Ranking, while Paraguay were 41st (they are now first and 34th respectively in the live ranking). This was the biggest ranking gap between opponents in this stage of the competition.
• Paraguay are competing at the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals.