Paraguay face France in the Football World Cup in 2026 Round of 16 on Saturday, July 4, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in what stands as one of the most dramatic David vs Goliath matchups of the knockout stage.
This blog covers how to watch Paraguay vs France live, kick-off time, team news, squad lists, tactical analysis, broadcaster details, and more.
Key Details
- Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT / 10:00 p.m. BST
- Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Capacity: 67,593
- Where to Watch: FOX / FOX One (USA) | BBC iPlayer (UK) | SBS on Demand (Australia) | RTE Player (Ireland) | Bell Media / TSN (Canada)
Where to Watch Paraguay vs. France Football World Cup Match?
In the United States, Paraguay vs France airs live on FOX with streaming available on FOX One. Spanish-language coverage is on Telemundo, and all 104 matches are streamable on Peacock in Spanish. In the UK, BBC iPlayer carries the match free with a BBC account and valid TV licence.
Australian fans can stream free on SBS on Demand. Canadian viewers have access via CTV, TSN, and RDS, while Irish fans can catch coverage on RTE Player. BBC and ITV together share all 104 matches free to air across the United Kingdom.
How to Watch Paraguay vs. France with a VPN
If Paraguay vs France is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to BBC iPlayer, which is broadcasting the match without a paywall for UK residents. BBC iPlayer is geoblocked to the United Kingdom, so a VPN is required to access it from abroad.
Follow these steps to get it working:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit BBC iPlayer and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for Paraguay vs France and start streaming live.
Please note that using a VPN to access streaming services may be subject to terms and conditions set by those services. Always review the applicable terms before connecting.
Paraguay vs. France Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Paraguay
Gustavo Alfaro, born in Rafaela, Argentina in 1962, took charge of Paraguay in August 2024 with a single mandate: end the nation’s 16-year absence from the World Cup finals. He delivered. A veteran manager with over 665 matches in the dugout across three decades, Alfaro previously qualified Ecuador for the 2022 World Cup and managed Boca Juniors.
His tactical blueprint is a disciplined 4-4-2: compact defensive shape, rapid wide transitions, and clinical counter-attacking. Captain Gustavo Gomez anchors the defence with 88 caps of experience. Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 in the group stage to secure their knockout berth and held Australia to a goalless draw to finish third in Group D with four points.
In the Round of 32, they shocked Germany in one of the most dramatic nights of the tournament. Paraguay trailed through much of extra time, saw two spot-kicks missed during the shootout, and still prevailed 4-3 on penalties at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. La Albirroja are the first third-placed team in the expanded 48-team format to reach the Round of 16.
Key players heading into this match include Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez of Brighton who brings energy and creativity, and Miguel Almiron, the Atlanta United captain who serves as the creative link between midfield and attack. Julio Enciso off the bench gives Alfaro a live-wire option in tight games.
No significant injury concerns emerged from the Germany shootout. Alfaro is expected to field the same defensive structure that kept Germany to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
France
Didier Deschamps has managed France since July 2012, making him the longest-serving manager in the team’s history. He is one of only four people to win the World Cup as both player and captain in 1998 and as manager in 2018. He confirmed before the tournament that he will not renew his contract beyond 2026, making this the closing chapter of a 14-year tenure.
France entered ranked third in the world before the tournament and demonstrated exactly why with a flawless group stage. Victories over Senegal, Iraq, and Norway delivered nine points. Then came the Round of 32 dismantling of Sweden, with Mbappé scoring twice and Ousmane Dembélé adding a third in a 3-0 win at MetLife Stadium.
Captain Kylian Mbappé scored four goals across the group stage to reach 16 career World Cup goals, levelling Miroslav Klose’s all-time men’s tournament record against Norway. Dembélé, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner, registered a first-half hat-trick against Norway. Hugo Ekitike was ruled out before the tournament with an Achilles tendon rupture. Eduardo Camavinga was also omitted.
Deschamps typically deploys a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 that can shift depending on the opponent. Against a deep defensive team like Paraguay, France are likely to press wide, use Mbappé’s runs in behind, and overload the midfield through Aurélien Tchouaméni and Warren Zaïre-Emery. France’s only concern heading into Philadelphia is managing the workload of key players across what could be another physically demanding contest.
Paraguay World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Gatito Fernández, Orlando Gill, Gastón Olveira
- Defenders: Gustavo Gómez, Júnior Alonso, Fabián Balbuena, Omar Alderete, Juan José Cáceres, Gustavo Velázquez, José Canale, Alexandro Maidana
- Midfielders: Miguel Almirón, Kaku, Andrés Cubas, Ramón Sosa, Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, Braian Ojeda, Matías Galarza, Maurício
- Forwards: Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso, Gabriel Ávalos, Álex Arce, Isidro Pitta, Gustavo Caballero
France World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser
- Defenders: Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix
- Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery
- Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Marcus Thuram, Jean-Philippe Mateta
Paraguay vs. France Match Preview
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia hosts this Round of 16 clash on the symbolic date of July 4, American Independence Day, as one of the most compelling mismatches of the knockout stage plays out before a full house of 67,593.
Paraguay’s journey to this point is already the story of the tournament. They absorbed a 4-1 humbling from the hosts in their opening group game, recovered with discipline and purpose, and then dismantled four-time world champions Germany in a penalty shootout that had the football world gasping. France’s path has been the opposite: clinical, controlled, and devastating. Deschamps’ side have scored 10 goals in four matches without ever looking threatened.
The stakes for Paraguay are historic. A win over France would rank as the second-biggest upset in World Cup knockout stage history based on rankings and would match their best-ever tournament performance from 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals. France carry the burden of expectation and the added weight of knowing Deschamps’ time in charge is drawing to a close.
Tactical Outlook: Alfaro will almost certainly return to the compact 4-4-2 that constrained Germany for 120 minutes. Paraguay’s defensive block will sit narrow and deep, inviting France wide and hoping to absorb pressure before hitting through Almirón and Enciso on the counter. The key matchup will be Diego Gómez in midfield against Tchouaméni and Zaïre-Emery. If Paraguay can limit France’s transitions from midfield to attack, they have the defensive quality in Gomez, Balbuena, and Alderete to frustrate Les Bleus.
Deschamps is expected to deploy Mbappé centrally to isolate Juan José Cáceres and Alexandro Maidana in wide defensive positions. Dembélé should start on the right and Michael Olise on the left, creating 1v1 situations that Paraguay’s defenders will struggle to contain if the ball moves quickly. France’s superior squad depth in every position means the pressure on Paraguay to stay organised for 90 or 120 minutes is enormous. Germany showed it could be done.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Canada vs Morocco (R16) | Houston |
| July 4 | Paraguay vs France (R16) | Philadelphia |
| July 5 | Brazil vs Norway (R16) | New Jersey |
| July 5 | Mexico vs England (R16) | Mexico City |
| July 6 | Portugal vs Spain (R16) | Dallas |
| July 6 | USA vs Belgium (R16) | Seattle |
| July 7 | Argentina/Cape Verde vs Australia/Egypt (R16) | Atlanta |
| July 7 | Switzerland vs Colombia/Ghana (R16) | Vancouver |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the Football World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded Football World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this Football World Cup lasts 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in the 2026 Football World Cup
There are 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where games take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match was especially historic. The tournament kicked off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico faced South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in Football World Cup history and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s Football World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The knockout stage will conclude with the final, to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The Stars to Watch in the 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final Football World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his Football World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final Football World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Knockout Stage: The Road to the Final
The knockout stage of the 2026 Football World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, played from June 28 to July 19, 2026. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-place teams, have advanced to compete in a single-elimination tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is ready to enter its knockout stage. Here's how the tournament's next phase differs from the group stage. https://t.co/ZUtq2tVWQo
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 28, 2026
Football World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule
| Round | Date | Match / Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 | Canada vs. South Africa |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Brazil vs. Japan |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Germany vs. Paraguay |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Netherlands vs. Morocco |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Ivory Coast vs. Norway |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | France vs. Sweden |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Mexico vs. Ecuador |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | England vs. DR Congo |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | Belgium vs. Senegal |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Round of 32 | Thursday, July 2 | Spain vs. Austria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Portugal vs. Croatia |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Switzerland vs. Algeria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Australia vs. Egypt |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Argentina vs. Cape Verde |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Colombia vs. Ghana |
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Fixtures ⚽
— World of StatHistics (@Stat_Cult) June 28, 2026
🗓️ Sunday, June 28
🇿🇦 South Africa – Canada 🇨🇦 →
🏟️ Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi)
🗓️ Monday, June 29
🔥 🇧🇷 Brazil – Japan 🇯🇵 →
🏟️ Houston Stadium (NRG)
🇩🇪 Germany – Paraguay 🇵🇾 →
🏟️ Boston Stadium (Gillette)
🇳🇱 Netherlands –… pic.twitter.com/Upoc5irwla
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Mexico has 3 stadiums like this and still got just 13 matches to host and USA is hosting 78 matches.
— Rahul Raj (@RahulRajVerse) June 28, 2026
Mexico is definitely Robbed😢😭 pic.twitter.com/HMyhQJ1Xhk
Prize Money and Commercial Scale of the 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this Football World Cup was confirmed at an official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s Football World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended Football World Cup with 3.6 million fans. That record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup Official Broadcasters
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest Football World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last Football World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paraguay vs France takes place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kick-off is at 5:00 p.m. ET, which is 10:00 p.m. BST in the United Kingdom.
This is a Round of 16 match. Paraguay qualified as one of the eight best third-placed teams from the group stage, while France topped Group I. The winner advances to the quarter-finals, scheduled for the following week.
Paraguay finished third in Group D behind the United States and Australia. They lost 4-1 to the hosts in their opener, beat Turkey 1-0, and drew 0-0 with Australia. They then eliminated four-time world champions Germany on penalties in the Round of 32 at Gillette Stadium, Boston.
Gustavo Gómez anchors the defence as captain with 88 caps. Diego Gómez in midfield provides box-to-box energy. Miguel Almirón creates from the left side of midfield. Julio Enciso gives the side a creative outlet in attack off the bench or from the start.
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Yes. They met at the 1958 World Cup, where France came from 3-2 down to win 7-3 in a famous group stage clash. They met again in the Round of 16 at France 1998, where Laurent Blanc scored a golden goal in the 114th minute to eliminate Paraguay. France went on to win that tournament.
