World Cup 2026: Experts predict Paraguay vs France round of 16 thriller

The World Cup 2026 round of 16 will feature a captivating clash between Paraguay and France on the night of July 4-5, kicking off at 00:00 Kyiv time. Paraguay have been the tournament's surprise package, stunning Germany to reach the knockout stage. Their defensive discipline and fighting spirit have earned them a shot at the mighty French. Les Bleus, perennial contenders, boast a star-studded squad and a track record of success on the biggest stage. Ukrainian football insiders have shared their betting picks via partner bookmaker betking. Commentator Ihor Tsyganyk expects France to seize control early and score before halftime. He backs France to win the first half (1st half – 1X2) at odds of 1.61. Coach Myron Markevych foresees a comfortable victory for the European giants by at least two goals, recommending a handicap of France (-1.5) at 1.62. Commentator Viktor Vatsko predicts a pragmatic win for France without conceding. His choice is a combined bet: France to win & both teams to score? No, at 1.58.