World Cup: Olise and Upamecano start for France against Paraguay

France and Paraguay are battling it out for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

Upamecano, Mbappé and Olise for France.

Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images.

World Cup favourites France face Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. With France on fire after an outstanding performance vs. Sweden in the last round, most people expect them to get a big win over the South Americans.

But Paraguay have built up the reputation of the surprise team of the tournament - they've beaten Türkiye and Germany in order to fight for a place in the quarter-finals now.

Bayern Munich's superstars Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano have become key players for Didier Deschamps' France side and Olise especially has transformed into one of the most important players for the super squad from Western Europe. Everytime he plays, he receives Ballon d'Or shouts - and deservedly so.

With just about an hour to go until kick-off, here are the confirmed lineups of both teams:

Confirmed France vs. Paraguay Lineups

France (4-2-3-1): Maignan - Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Digne - Koné, Rabiot - Dembélé, Olise, Barcola - Mbappé

Paraguay (5-4-1): Gill - Cáceres, Velázquez, G.Gómez, Alderete, Alonso - D.Gómez, Cubas, Galarza, Almirón - Enciso