Kylian Mbappe's France are in a remarkable run at the World Cup. France are expected to beat Paraguay in the last 16 on Saturday (Sunday, Nepali time).

Mbappe and the title contenders France could be held back by the Philadelphia weather, where high humidity and a potential threat of thunderstorms are expected. The match is set to take place on the historic day of July 4, which is also America's Independence Day.

France won the title in Russia in 2018 but lost to Argentina in the 2022 final on penalties. France is aiming to become only the third team to reach the final for the third time in a row. West Germany and Brazil have previously made history. France's performance has already made them the main contenders for the title.

France defeated Sweden 3-0 in the last 32 on Tuesday, with Mbappe scoring twice and Bradley Barclay scoring once. France has scored 13 goals in 4 games at this World Cup. France has been brilliant during Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure. But Deschamps has been accused of not using the attacking potential of the French team.

This is his last tournament as France coach. It seems impossible for the opposition to stop Mbappe, Barca, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Oliseh in his team. After the match with Sweden, Deschamps said, ‘France’s attacking players have a great synergy, they speak the same language of football.’

So France has a good chance of winning the World Cup. It is expected that it will not be difficult to overcome Paraguay, which is ranked 41st in the world. But in reality, it is difficult to be so simple. Paraguay is the same team that defeated Germany in a penalty shootout. After this historic victory, Paraguay was given a day of national holiday.

‘They are not here by chance, Germany are a top team and Paraguay have South American DNA, which means they have a lot of potential,’ Deschamps said of Paraguay. ‘They have players with good potential. No other team has ever reached the last 16 like that.’

Barcola said on Friday that France were ready for the physical competition. ‘They play very defensively, they are very challenging. They are also a football team, which we saw in the match against Germany.’

Paraguay’s Julio Inciso knows France well because he plays for French team Strasbourg. He scored the goal against Germany. Few people expected Paraguay to win this match and reach the quarter-finals, he said. If that happens, Paraguay will reach the last eight of the World Cup for only the second time in its history. "We have our own strengths, our own abilities, and the way we play makes it difficult for any opponent," Inkiso said. 

Warning of extreme heat

The weather could be another challenge for both teams. Temperatures are expected to reach 37 degrees Celsius in Philadelphia on Saturday. Philadelphia is the city where American independence was declared 250 years ago. But a storm warning for Philadelphia could spoil their celebrations.

France had previously beaten Iraq 3-0 in the group stage in Philadelphia. The match was delayed by two hours due to rain and lightning. With such weather conditions, neither team can imagine going to extra time and a penalty shootout.

The last time these two teams played at the World Cup, the game went to extra time and became one of the most important moments in the modern history of French football. France, who advanced by defeating Paraguay 1-0 in that match, finally lifted the World Cup title in 1998 under Deschamps' captaincy, which was also France's first success in the World Cup.