France enters the World Cup knockout round as the tournament's dominant force, with their attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise consistently overpowering opponents throughout the competition. Manager Didier Deschamps expects France to maintain their high level of play, though he acknowledges Paraguay's credentials after they surprised observers by eliminating Germany earlier in the tournament.

Paraguay faces a formidable challenge in Philadelphia, where scorching temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit will test both teams' endurance. Despite never defeating France in four meetings spanning nearly seven decades, Paraguay has proven capable of unexpected victories and arrives with a defensive gameplan designed to frustrate the world's leading favorite.