Extreme Heat! France Faces Challenge Against Paraguay

France could be at a disadvantage in the Round of 16 match against Paraguay!

Sporting-wise, Paraguay caused a surprise in the Round of 32 with a penalty shootout victory against Germany. France, on the other hand, left no doubt against Sweden.

On Saturday (from 11:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>), however, the favourite could face a challenge. Temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius are predicted in Philadelphia. The match could turn into a true heat battle.

Heat Warning Issued

The national weather service has already issued an "extreme heat" warning. Temperatures could even feel as high as 46 degrees Celsius.

The stadium, where the Philadelphia Eagles usually play, has no retractable roof and hardly any shaded areas.

"We know the weather will be difficult. You lose a lot of energy. You sweat more and lose more water. Sometimes you are less clear in your head. When we arrived, it was already hot. Now it's even hotter, but both teams have to deal with that," says Desire Doue.

Paraguay Accustomed to High Temperatures

Paraguay, on the other hand, is accustomed to the heat. "This is completely normal for us. Hopefully, it will be a bit warmer tomorrow," explains Junior Alonso.

Coach Gustavo Alfaro also sees a small advantage: "The weather is naturally very similar to that in Asuncion." However, he also takes the temperatures seriously: "Even if we are used to such conditions, this is weather that will undoubtedly affect the game."

French coach Didier Deschamps, however, remains unconcerned: "It's not ideal. But I'm not too worried about the heat. Together with the medical staff, we have ensured that various measures have been taken," he concludes.