BBC Sport pundits Thomas Hitzlsperger, Joe Hart, and Micah Richards have voiced strong criticism regarding Paraguay's tactics during their 2026 World Cup last-16 match against France, which France won 1-0. The pundits described Paraguay's approach as "disgusting" and stated that the team "went way too far."
Their commentary focused on what they perceived as deliberate attempts by Paraguayan players to provoke and unsettle their French opponents. The pundits suggested that these tactics were employed to disrupt France's rhythm and gain an unfair advantage on the field. While acknowledging France's victory, the discussion highlighted concerns about the sportsmanship displayed by the Paraguayan team throughout the fixture.