Deschamps warns Paraguay. France is not Germany

French national team coach Didier Deschamps has sent a clear warning message to Paraguay before the match between the two teams in the 1/8 finals of the 2026 World Cup, stressing that the “roosters” are completely different from the German team, which Paraguay eliminated from the tournament.

Deschamps said At the meeting “Germany’s exclusion was not an accident, but we are not Germany. We know our capabilities well and have a ready response to whatever the opponent will offer.”

The French coach praised the Paraguayan team, noting that it is “a team that knows the game and has a high fighting spirit like all the South American teams”, adding: “They have standout players like Enciso and Almiron who know each other well and are performing well… They will play their cards smart.”

Deschamps stressed that France enter the tournament at their “peak”, looking to add another title to their last World Cup appearance, noting that “acclaim will not change our strategy… The best thing we can do is not to be afraid, because football depends on commitment”.

As for France’s weaknesses, Deschamps admitted there was a “recurring problem” of slow starts to games and said:

Paraguay qualified for the last 16 after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Germany, one of the surprises of the tournament, but Deschamps believes his side have “more than one player who can avoid a similar defeat”.