Quick Facts
Competition: World Cup 2026 Round of 16
Date: 4 July 2026
Kick-off: 20:30 local time (01:30 BST, 5 July)
Venue: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV/Stream: Sky Sports Football (UK), other territories unconfirmed
Les Bleus Line-up Loaded with Italian Pedigree
Didier Deschamps has named a formidable France starting XI for this World Cup last-16 clash against Paraguay, with three key players from Serie A giants Roma and Milan taking centre stage. Manu Koné, the Roma midfielder, earns a start in the engine room, while Milan duo Adrien Rabiot and Mike Maignan also feature prominently. Rabiot anchors the midfield, and Maignan guards the posts as the unquestioned number one.
The defending champions are widely considered favourites, but Paraguay arrive on a wave of confidence after stunning Germany in the group stage. With a quarter-final place on the line, Deschamps has opted for experience and tactical discipline, blending youth and Serie A nous.
Team News: Koné’s Big Moment
Koné’s inclusion is the headline story from an Italian perspective. The 24-year-old has been a revelation at Roma since his move from Borussia Mönchengladbach, and his ability to break up play and drive forward could be crucial against a compact Paraguayan outfit. Deschamps praised his progress, saying,
“Manu has everything we need for this kind of match. He’s aggressive, technical, and fully integrated into our system.”
Rabiot, now at Milan after spells at Juventus and PSG, brings invaluable World Cup-winning experience. His partnership with Koné in the double pivot will shield a backline that also features Serie A alumni in Theo Hernández (formerly of Milan). Maignan, widely regarded as one of the world’s top goalkeepers, continues his remarkable international record – he has conceded just twice in his last 10 appearances for Les Bleus.
France Starting XI: Maignan; Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano, Hernández; Tchouaméni, Rabiot, Koné; Dembélé, Mbappé, Coman.
Paraguay’s Giant-Killing Spirit
Paraguay, managed by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, are no strangers to upsetting the odds. Their 2-1 victory over Germany in the group stage sent shockwaves through the tournament, and they topped their group ahead of the four-time champions. The South Americans are expected to set up in a deep 4-4-2 block and rely on swift counter-attacks led by Miguel Almirón and Ramón Sosa.
The winner of this tie will face Morocco in the quarter-finals after the Atlas Lions dispatched co-hosts Canada 3-0 earlier today. Morocco themselves are aiming for back-to-back semi-finals after their historic run in 2022. For France, the path to a third star remains open, but they must first navigate a potential banana skin in New Jersey.
Key Takeaways
- Serie A Star Power: Manu Koné (Roma), Adrien Rabiot and Mike Maignan (Milan) all start, highlighting Italian football’s influence on the world stage.
- Giant-Killer Alert: Paraguay stunned Germany in the group stage and will be no pushovers.
- Quarter-Final Awaits: The winner faces Morocco, who beat Canada 3-0, setting up a potentially explosive last-eight clash.
- Maignan’s Wall: The Milan keeper has conceded only twice in his last 10 France appearances, a fortress in goal.
- How to Watch: UK viewers can catch the action on Sky Sports Football; broadcast information for other territories remains unconfirmed.
