2026 World Cup: Chilavert’s Comments on France Spark Controversy: “Embarrassing”
Tensions are running high ahead of the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France following remarks by José Luis Chilavert, the legendary former goalkeeper for La Albirroja, who attacked Les Bleus in a post on X.
The Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France is scheduled for Saturday night at 11 p.m. (Italian time), but the battle has already begun following Chilavert’s comments on X, where he responded to former French forward Christophe Dugarry, who had taken for granted the “humiliation” of the South Americans at the hands of Deschamps’ team.
“Christophe, you’re right—in the ’98 World Cup we faced the French, and now Paraguay will face a team from Africa,” reads the post that sparked an uproar on social media. Chilavert’s remarks have drawn reactions from the French media (“Embarrassing,” reports RMC Sport on its official website), and even in South America, people are openly calling the comment “racist.”
The former goalkeeper had also made headlines a few months ago when he sided with Prestianni during the incident in which Prestianni insulted Mbappé by covering his mouth with his hand during the Benfica–Real Madrid Champions League match.
Les Bleus head into the match after crushing Sweden 3-0 in the round of 16, with Mbappé in sensational form: the Real Madrid star scored twice, bringing his total to 6 goals in the tournament, tying him with Messi for the competition’s top scorer. His performance against the Scandinavians convinced even the most skeptical observers of the strength of Deschamps’ team.
