World Cup 2026: Juan Pablo Sorín praises France’s attack ahead of Paraguay showdown

Former Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorín has described France as one of the strongest teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while warning that Les Bleus should expect a demanding Round of 16 encounter against Paraguay.

The former Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain defender shared his thoughts ahead of Saturday’s knockout match in Philadelphia, highlighting France’s attacking strength but insisting Paraguay should not be underestimated.

Sorín, who spent the 2003–04 season with Paris Saint-Germain, believes France possess one of the tournament’s most dangerous forward lines. However, he also stressed that Paraguay have the quality to provide a serious challenge in the knockout stages.

Speaking to football.fr, the former Argentina international reflected on the upcoming contest and the level of competition France will face.

“France has a very tough opponent. Everyone remembers 1998 with Celso, Ayala, Gamarra, and Chilavert, but this is a different story. I think they are one of the best teams in the tournament. They have an extraordinary attack with four fantastic players.”

Sorín’s comments underline the respect he has for France’s offensive quality, which he believes has been one of the defining features of their campaign so far.

At the same time, he cautioned against overlooking Paraguay, suggesting that the South American side are capable of making life difficult despite France’s status as one of the tournament favourites.

The former full-back pointed to the historical context of meetings involving Paraguay but made it clear that the current team should be judged on its own merits rather than comparisons with previous generations.

As the knockout phase continues, France will aim to justify their billing as one of the leading contenders for the title, while Paraguay will look to produce an upset and secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Sorín’s assessment reflects the expectation surrounding the encounter, with the former Argentine captain anticipating a closely contested match despite his admiration for the quality and depth of France’s attacking unit.

His remarks add to the growing anticipation ahead of the Round of 16 fixture, where France’s highly rated frontline will be tested by a Paraguay side determined to prolong its World Cup campaign.