France vs Paraguay Live Updates: Les Bleus And Paraguay Get World Cup Round Of 16 Clash Underway

Ousmane Dembélé cuts inside onto his left foot and unleashes a shot that takes a deflection and drifts just wide of the post.

France then appeal for a free-kick after Matías Galarza catches Kylian Mbappé off the ball, but play is allowed to continue.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Tempers briefly flare after Andrés Cubas and Kylian Mbappé are involved in a bit of pushing in midfield following a late challenge by Cubas.

The France captain shoves the Paraguay midfielder, prompting players from both sides to rush in before the situation is quickly brought under control.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

France up the ante now as Ousmane Dembele delivers another inviting cross into the six-yard box. It is Kylian Mbappe this time who is the intended target and the France captain makes a good into space but again is unable to make contact with the ball, allowing Paraguay to escape another big scare.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Paraguay enjoy a brief spell of possession which ends with Andrés Cubas and Diego Gómez both trying their luck from distance. Neither effort troubles Mike Maignan, but it is an encouraging response from the South Americans.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Play resumes after the hydration break, and Paraguay immediately push into France's half. Julio Enciso looks to chase a through ball, but Mike Maignan races off his line to gather it before the forward can pounce.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

The referee signals for the first-half hydration break as players from both sides head to the touchline for drinks and tactical instructions. France have dominated possession but are yet to find a way through Paraguay's resolute defence.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

France go close to breaking the deadlock as Manu Kone tries his luck from distance. His shot takes a wicked deflection and flashes just wide of Orlando Gill's right-hand post, with Paraguay surviving another scare.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Bradley Barcola becomes the first player to be booked after catching Juan José Cáceres with a late swipe at the ball. The PSG winger goes into the referee's book, leaving him walking on a tightrope for the remainder of this match. .

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Paraguay continue to keep things compact at the back, leaving little space for France to exploit. Manu Koné looks to chip a ball over the top for Kylian Mbappé, but, similar Dembele''s effort, it is slightly overhit and goes out for a goal kick.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Ousmane Dembélé clips in another looping delivery, this time over the top of the defence for Bradley Barcola, who times his run perfectly to stay onside. However, the pass is a tad too heavy and escapes the reach of Barcola.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Dembele does well to break down the right and sends in a sharp cross from the byline. Rabiot is at the edge of the six-yard box and challenges for the ball but is crowded out by a group of three Paraguay defenders. 

The French midfielder goes down under the pressure and appeals for a foul but the referee isn't interested. 

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

Miguel Almirón does well to track back and dispossess Bradley Barcola, halting a promising French attack. However, Paraguay struggle to clear their lines, allowing France to quickly regain possession.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

William Saliba holds up the ball near the touchline and plays his way out of a tight situation brilliantly to launch an attack as Jules Koundé surges into space down the right. Ousmane Dembélé's cross is eventually cleared, but it serves as an early warning for Paraguay.

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

We're underway at the Philadelphia Stadium! Michael Olise gets the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash underway as France launch it deep into the Paraguay half so they can gain ground and apply pressure from the subsequent throw-in. 

France 0 - 0 Paraguay

The stage is set at the Philadelphia Stadium as France and Paraguay complete the pre-match formalities. Les Bleus are sporting their traditional royal blue shirts with white trim, while Paraguay are in their iconic red-and-white striped kit.

Kylian Mbappé (France): The France captain enters the Round of 16 in red-hot form and is closing in on Lionel Messi's all-time FIFA World Cup goals record. Another goal against Paraguay would take him one step closer to the Argentine great.

Julio Enciso (Paraguay): Paraguay's attacking talisman has enjoyed an impressive tournament, registering one goal and two assists in four appearances. His creativity and pace will be crucial if the South Americans are to spring another upset.

France have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, winning three of their five previous meetings with Paraguay, while the remaining two matches ended in draws. Paraguay are still searching for their first victory over Les Bleus.

• Matches Played: 5
• France wins: 3
• Paraguay wins: 0
• Draws: 2

France have been one of the standout teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cruising through the tournament with a perfect record so far. Les Bleus opened their campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal before easing past Iraq 3-0. They then wrapped up the group stage in emphatic fashion with a commanding 4-1 win over Norway.

The two-time world champions carried that momentum into the Round of 32, where they took on Sweden. Didier Deschamps' side produced another dominant display, with captain Kylian Mbappé scoring twice and Bradley Barcola adding the third in a comfortable 3-0 victory to seal France's place in the Round of 16.

Paraguay endured a difficult start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to co-hosts USA in their opening match. La Albirroja responded impressively by edging past Türkiye 1-0 before playing out a goalless draw against Australia in their final group fixture.

Their tally of one win, one draw and one defeat was enough to see them qualify for the Round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups. There Paraguay produced one of the biggest shocks in FIFA World Cup history. Gustavo Alfaro's men stunned four-time champions Germany after holding the European giants to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. 

France make one change to the side that beat Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32, with Aurélien Tchouaméni dropping to the bench after reportedly picking up an injury in training. Manu Koné comes into Didier Deschamps' starting XI in the only alteration.

Paraguay, meanwhile, make three changes following their penalty shootout victory over Germany. Omar Alderete, Gustavo Velázquez and Diego Gómez replace Damián Bobadilla, Gabriel Ávalos and José Canale in Gustavo Alfaro's lineup.

France XI: Mike Maignan; Lucas Digne, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé; Adrien Rabiot, Manu Koné; Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé; Kylian Mbappé.

Substitutes: Brice Samba, Malo Gusto, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Marcus Thuram, N'Golo Kanté, Ibrahima Konaté, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Theo Hernández, Désiré Doué, Lucas Hernández, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Robin Risser, Rayan Cherki, Maghnes Akliouche, Maxence Lacroix.

Paraguay XI: Orlando Gill; Omar Alderete, Gustavo Gómez, Gustavo Velázquez, Junior Alonso, Robert Rojas Cáceres; Miguel Almirón, Matías Galarza, Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez; Julio Enciso.

Substitutes: Roberto Fernández, Fabián Balbuena, Ramón Sosa, Antonio Sanabria, Mauricio, José Canale, Damián Bobadilla, Ángel Romero, Arce, Ojeda, Gabriel Ávalos, Olveira, Caballero, Pitta, Maidana.

Welcome to our live coverage of France vs Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. A place in the quarter-finals is at stake as tournament favourites France take on giant-killers Paraguay, who stunned Germany in the previous round.

Stay with us for live score updates, confirmed line-ups, goals and all the key moments as Didier Deschamps' France face Gustavo Alfaro's Paraguay at the Philadelphia Stadium.