The France World Cup 2026 juggernaut rolls on to Philadelphia this weekend for a last-16 showdown with surprise qualifiers Paraguay . Many would have anticipated this tie being a clash between France and Germany when the draw was made but instead it is Paraguay who will attempt to stop Didier Deschamps’ title favourites.
That is because La Albirroja stunned the four-time world champions in the last 32, becoming the first side to beat Germany in a World Cup penalty shoot-out . Paraguay reached the quarter-finals in their last finals appearance at South Africa 2010 but it would take a huge shock for them to add France’s scalp to that of the under-par Germans .
We just can’t see it happening, with our opening Paraguay vs France prediction being Les Bleus to win both halves @ 6/4 in a BOYLE Sports Price Boost .
Betting Odds
Paraguay vs France Betting Odds – 2026 World Cup Round of 16
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Paraguay | 14/1 | 6.7% |
France | 2/11 | 84.6% |
Draw | 5/1 | 16.7% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
France are 2/11 favourites to beat Paraguay , who are 14/1 for the win, with the draw at 5/1.
How to Watch
How to watch Paraguay vs France
The World Cup round of 16 match is scheduled to begin at 22:00 BST on Saturday.
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Form Guides
Paraguay form guide
Paraguay showed just how difficult an opponent they can be during World Cup qualifying , losing just four of their 18 matches and recording home wins over Brazil and Argentina . Thirteen of those games finished 1-0 or 0-0, and it has been a similar story at the finals so far for Gustavo Alfaro’s well-organised side.
Since losing 4-1 to co-hosts USA in their opening match, Paraguay have beaten Turkey 1-0, drawn 0-0 with Australia and held Germany 1-1 before beating them on penalties, with their overall record of eight shots on target among the lowest in the competition. Therefore, don’t expect them to put this France World Cup defence under prolonged pressure, which is also reflected in the odds of 1/12 for Paraguay to score under 1.5 goals.
One area where Paraguay are leading the metrics is bookings. They have picked up nine yellow cards already - France have had just one - while Miguel Almiron was sent off against Turkey . Matias Galarza and Diego Gomez are 3/1 and 2/1 respectively to pick up their third caution of the finals in our World Cup tips today , while Andres Cubas is 7/4 to see yellow and Juan Caceres 9/4.
France form guide
Deschamps is looking to guide France to a third successive final in his last tournament as coach and it is hard to see just who can stop the 2018 champions . Les Bleus have swept aside Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0), Norway (4-1) and Sweden (3-0) to reach the last 16 and become the first nation to score at least three goals in five successive World Cup matches - including the 2022 final - with Deschamps having found the magic formula to accommodate an embarrassment of attacking riches.
Key trio Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise have scored 10 goals and provided nine assists between them already, while Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki and Jean-Philippe Mateta offer world-class options and back-up. France also look solid in defence, although the fact they have only kept two clean sheets in their last nine matches could offer some hope to Paraguay .
Also included in our World Cup tips today is France to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 @10/3 in another BOYLE Sports Price Boost. You can also get 2/1 for Mbappe to score at least twice for the fourth time in five matches at the 2026 World Cup, while we also fancy assist king Olise to notch his first goal of the finals @ 6/4.
Betting Tips
Paraguay vs France Betting Tips – World Cup Round of 16
France to win both halves @ 6/4
Matias Galarza to be booked @ 3/1
France to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2 @ 10/3
Simply click/tap on the above betting tips to add to your betslip.
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