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Former Paraguayan goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert has once again stirred controversy with racially charged remarks ahead of the Paraguay vs. France Round of 16 match at the 2026 World Cup. Responding to a provocation from former French footballer Christophe Dugarry, Chilavert labeled the French national team an “African team.”
The exchange began when Dugarry, a 1998 World Cup winner with France, downplayed Paraguay's chances in an interview with “RMC Sport.”
“Honestly, Paraguay will be crushed. I'm telling you: Paraguay will be steamrolled. They will only go out on the field to defend because they are incapable of anything else. I think the French team, even if they face some difficulties at the beginning, will manage to win,” Dugarry stated.
Chilavert's response was swift, coming via social media where he shared the former striker's statement and added a provocative comment.
“Christophe is right, at the 1998 World Cup we faced the French, and now Paraguay will play against an African team,” the former goalkeeper wrote.
This statement alludes to the African heritage of several players on the French national team—a rhetoric often criticized for its xenophobic and racist undertones. While many of the athletes have parents or grandparents who immigrated from Africa, as is the case with Kylian Mbappé, all called-up players hold French citizenship. Of the 26 footballers in the squad, only reserve goalkeeper Brice Samba was born on the African continent, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Michael Olise was born in England, and Marcus Thuram in Italy.
The match between Paraguay and France is scheduled for tomorrow, July 5th (Sunday), kicking off at midnight Bulgarian time. This match, along with all 104 games of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, can be watched live on bnt.sportal.bg.
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