Kylian Mbappé, star of the French national team, highlighted the respect Paraguay deserves ahead of their Round of 16 clash in the 2026 World Cup. The Real Madrid forward praised the team led by Gustavo Alfaro after their victory over Germany, which secured Paraguay's spot in the next stage.
"They’ve shown they’re a team to be taken seriously. They beat Germany, and there are no easy games in the World Cup. We’ll try to win," said Mbappé, who scored twice in France’s rout of Sweden to secure their place in the knockout stage.
Coach Didier Deschamps also anticipated a tough match against La Albirroja, emphasizing the Paraguayan team’s aggression and defensive strength. "Their qualification is no coincidence because Germany is a strong team. Plus, there’s that South American DNA—they fight in every duel, and they also have good players," Deschamps said.
The France vs. Paraguay match will take place on Saturday, July 4, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 6 p.m. (Paraguay time).