France face Paraguay in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 in the early hours of Saturday morning UK time. Kick-off is 2am BST and the match is free on ITV.
Match: France vs Paraguay
Date: Saturday 5 July 2026 (Friday night/Saturday morning UK)
Kick-off: 2am BST (8pm local, Houston)
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
UK Channel: ITV1 and ITVX (free)
How France Got Here
France topped Group A as expected, though not without difficulty:
- France 3–1 Indonesia (June 13)
- France 1–1 Colombia (June 18)
- France 2–0 Paraguay (June 23)
Kylian Mbappé has scored three goals in the group stage. Antoine Griezmann and Aurélien Tchouaméni have both been outstanding in midfield. France are many bookmakers' favourites to win the tournament.
How Paraguay Got Here
Paraguay qualified as one of the best third-placed teams:
- Paraguay 1–2 Colombia (June 14)
- Paraguay 0–0 Indonesia (June 19)
- Paraguay 0–2 France (June 23)
Paraguay are the underdogs — they finished third in their group and lost to France 2–0 just 11 days ago. However, knockout football is different. Paraguay's 2010 World Cup quarter-final run proves they can compete at this stage.
How to Watch France vs Paraguay in the UK (Free)
ITV1 — Live coverage from 1:15am BST Saturday 5 July
ITVX — Free live stream from 1:15am BST
Kick-off: 2am BST
Free with a free ITVX account. No subscription needed.
| Device | How to Watch |
|---|---|
| Smart TV | ITVX app (free) |
| Firestick | ITVX app from Firestick App Store |
| iPhone/iPad | ITVX app from App Store |
| Android | ITVX app from Google Play |
| PC/Mac | itvx.com — free account |
Late Kick-Off — Is It Worth Staying Up?
France vs Paraguay kicks off at 2am BST — a tough ask for UK viewers on a Friday night. If you cannot stay up live, ITVX offers free catch-up from Saturday morning.
Smart Live TV also includes DVR and catch-up across all World Cup channels, so you can watch on your own schedule without spoilers.
Free 24-hour trial — no card needed →
Watching France vs Paraguay from Outside the UK
ITVX is geoblocked outside the UK. If you are watching from France, Paraguay, the USA, or anywhere abroad — ITVX will not work.
Smart Live TV carries all ITV and BBC World Cup matches with no VPN and no geo-restriction. Also includes French (TF1, beIN Sports), South American (Telefuturo), and Arabic commentary feeds.
Works from any country. From £12/month.
Tonight's Full World Cup Schedule (UK Times)
| Time (BST) | Match | Round | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10pm Fri | Morocco vs Canada | Round of 16 | BBC One |
| 2am Sat | France vs Paraguay | Round of 16 | ITV1 |
Colombia beat Ghana 1–0 earlier today. Morocco vs Canada kicks off at 10pm on BBC before this match.
What the Winner Gets
The winner of France vs Paraguay plays the winner of England vs Mexico (Monday 6 July) in the quarter-finals on Saturday 12 July.
| Round | Date | Opponent | UK Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | Sat 5 Jul (2am) | France vs Paraguay | 2am BST |
| Quarter-Final | Sat 12 Jul | Winner vs England/Mexico | TBC |
| Semi-Final | Wed 16 Jul | TBC | TBC |
| Final | Sun 19 Jul | TBC | 8pm BST |
France and England are on the same side of the bracket — they could meet in the quarter-finals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is France vs Paraguay UK?
2am BST on Saturday 5 July 2026 (Friday night/Saturday morning). Pre-match coverage on ITV1 from 1:15am.
What channel is France vs Paraguay?
ITV1 and ITVX. Free to watch in the UK with an ITVX account.
Is France vs Paraguay on BBC?
No. This match is on ITV. Morocco vs Canada at 10pm is on BBC.
Can I watch France vs Paraguay on Firestick?
Yes. Download the free ITVX app from the Firestick App Store and stream live.
Full Firestick setup guide →
Did France already beat Paraguay in the group stage?
Yes. France beat Paraguay 2–0 on June 23 in their final group match. This is a rematch in the Round of 16.
How do I watch France vs Paraguay from France?
ITVX is blocked outside the UK. Smart Live TV includes TF1 and beIN Sports (French commentary) and ITV/BBC feeds with no VPN. Works from any country from £12/month.
Free 24-hour trial →
Can I watch the catch-up if I miss the 2am kick-off?
Yes. ITVX offers free catch-up from Saturday morning. Smart Live TV also includes full DVR and catch-up across all World Cup channels.