Paraguay vs. France Top Storylines, Odds, Live Stream for World Cup 2026

The blue and white French freight train is rolling full steam ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Next up on the tracks for France is Paraguay and one of the most organized defensive setups in the tournament.

France has passed every test yet. Most people expect the French to find a way through and score multiple goals again on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Paraguay has its defensive structure to rely on, but holding France for 90, or 120, minutes is a far more difficult task than doing that against Germany.

Match Info and Odds

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Date: Saturday, July 4

Start Time: 5 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Live Stream: Fox One or FoxSports.com

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook:

To Qualify for Next Round: France (-1800; bet $1,800 to win $100); Paraguay (+1080; bet $100 to win $1,080)

90-Minute Money Line: France (-600); Paraguay (+1500); Draw (+600)

France Enters As Overwhelming Favorite

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France is the largest favorite in the round of 16.

Les Bleus have been the dominant force of the tournament. They flexed their attacking might once again in the 3-0 round-of-32 win over Sweden.

Kylian Mbappe can't stop scoring and Michael Olise is arguably the best player in the tournament.

If Mbappe and Lionel Messi weren't featured in starring roles, Olise would be the one guy everyone couldn't stop talking about.

The front four of Mbappe, Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola all had at least one goal contribution in the win over Sweden.

Mbappe scored twice against Sweden. He seems inevitable at the moment. No one's been able to slow him down yet.

Paraguay has the defensive structure that could frustrate France for a half, like Senegal did in the group opener, but France is just too talented not to score in regulation.

Paraguay Must Trust Its Defensive Structure

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Paraguay is in this spot because its defensive structure frustrated Germany.

The South American side scored first in the round of 32 and then absorbed almost all of the pressure Germany threw at it.

It was a remarkable display of defending, especially from goalkeeper Oscar Gill.

The task is going to be far tougher on Saturday against a French team in better form and with superior attackers in comparison to Germany.

Paraguay can look to how Senegal slowed down in the first half on Matchday 1 as a potential blueprint for adjustments into how to handle Mbappe and Co.

The goal on Saturday should be to keep a first-half clean sheet. If that happens, belief will start to grow within the squad, and with the neutrals in the crowd in Philadelphia.

An early goal or two likely means Paraguay is in for a brutal 90 minutes, but the longer it holds France scoreless, the more doubt can seep into the French squad, which is something Les Bleus haven't felt yet in the tournament.