Will Kylian Mbappe play tonight for France vs Paraguay in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16?
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in the Round of 32 clash.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup has moved into its high-intensity Round of 16 fixtures, France are set for a highly entertaining encounter against Paraguay. This heavyweight clash will take place at the Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania, USA.
The clash will mark the second meeting in the World Cup knockout between France and Paraguay. Both nations played in the 1998 World Cup Round of 16. France secured a narrow 1-0 victory via a golden goal in that one.
Didier Deschamps on Kylian Mbappe’s role against Paraguay
Manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that forward Kylian Mbappe is fully fit and will definitely start against Paraguay. He highlighted the necessity of keeping his elite starters on the pitch to match the intense physicality of the resilient Paraguay side. The French team is eyeing the quarter-final spot.
Kylian Mbappe has undoubtedly been France’s best performer in this World Cup campaign. The player is effortlessly adapting to the requirements of the tournament. He entered the competition in incredible form, showcasing his world-class leadership and technical brilliance.
The prolific forward enjoyed an exceptional start to the 2026 campaign. He has showcased his elite positioning and incredible finishing, netting six goals. All of this in his first four games while assisting another two.
He led the attack as France cruised through the campaign, proving to be vital for the nation, anchoring Les Bleus’ fluid attack. Mbappe put himself in a comfortable position in the tournament’s Golden Boot race.
Unlike other major teams, Deschamps chose to keep his main squad completely active throughout the group stage, ensuring the team maintained their rhythm and match sharpness. France are coming into the fixture after defeating Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32 to lock down their passage into today’s game.
France are set to feature in the Round of 16. They look to build on their incredible legacy. A win against Paraguay will keep their hopes for a third title alive.
Where to watch Paraguay vs France live in India?
The game will be streamed live on Zee5 in India.
Who won the last head-to-head encounter between Paraguay and France?
The last game between these two teams ended in a 5-0 victory for France.
Will Kylian Mbappe play for France against Paraguay?
Yes, Kylian Mbappe is expected to start the game for France against Paraguay.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
Basil Elias Benoy is a sports journalist with a deep passion for football, cricket, and kabaddi. A devoted supporter of Manchester United and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he combines his academic background in Economics with hands-on experience in sports media. His work ranges from professional sports content creation for digital platforms to on-ground reporting for Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters.