Paraguay and France will face off this Saturday for a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, where the Albirroja’s defensive wall will try to withstand the offensive power of Les Bleus, just as it did in the round of 16 when it sent Germany home.
La Albirroja thwarted what looked like a France-Germany matchup in the Round of 16 by defeating the Germans in a chaotic penalty shootout, in which Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill emerged as the Guaraní hero by stopping two shots. That secured their spot to face France this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. GMT), coinciding with Independence Day in the United States. The match will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.
Paraguay Faces Its History
In Philadelphia, the Albirroja faces its demons once again.
While they were able to avenge their painful elimination in the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup against Germany, their match against France brings them back to a scenario similar to that of 1998.
France and Paraguay faced off in the round of 16 of a World Cup in which Les Bleus were the hosts and would go on to win their first title.
The match went into extra time after 90 scoreless minutes, and just as the Paraguayans were bracing for a penalty shootout, Laurent Blanc sent them home in the 114th minute with a golden goal.
An outcome just as cruel—if not more so—than Oliver Neuville’s in ’88, four years later.
This isn’t the only previous match between Paraguay and France, who have faced each other five times, with three French victories and two ties.
Including another World Cup matchup: a surprising 7-3 victory in the group stage of 1958, with a hat trick by the legendary Just Fontaine.
A goal-scoring machine
France is without Fontaine but does have Kylian Mbappé, the all-time leading scorer for the French national team.
And just one goal away from Lionel Messi in the race to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
France’s No. 10 has scored six goals—including three two-goal games—of the 13 scored by Didier Deschamps’ team.
It still hasn’t dropped below three goals per game and averages 3.33.
With a superb Michael Olise in the attacking midfield and Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and/or Désiré Doué on the wings, Les Bleus are putting on a dazzling offensive display.
Which promises to cause Paraguay far more problems than a stagnant, uninspired Germany.
Alfaro’s Plan
By eliminating Germany, Gustavo Alfaro has silenced all the critics who had spoken out against him during the group stage.
This was because they went out to secure a draw against Australia—at the risk of being eliminated—after losing 4-1 to the United States in their debut.
La Albirroja has a very clear game plan: a rock-solid defense led by Gustavo Gómez, counterattacks, and pressing after losing possession.
Alfaro brings back Gómez—who was suspended for accumulating yellow cards against Germany—to his midfield.
“It’s going to be very difficult because they know how to defend themselves.”
Paraguay has played very well
Didier Deschamps
Paraguay did not return to its base camp in San José, California, after its victory over Germany in Boston and has been based in Philadelphia for several days now.
Meanwhile, France has remained in Boston, specifically, as its training camp.
The winner of the match between France and Paraguay will return to Boston to play in the quarterfinals against the winner of the match between Canada and Morocco, which will take place this Saturday in Houston, Texas.
Probable Lineups
Paraguay: Orlando Gill; Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, José María Canale, Júnior Alonso; Miguel Almirón, Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas, Matías Galarza; and Julio Enciso.
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro.
France: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne; Aurélien Tchouaméni, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and Kylian Mbappé.
Coach: Didier Deschamps.
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan).
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (United States).
Time: 5:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. GMT).
With information from EFE
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