Chilavert calls France 'a squad from Africa' after Dugarry predicts Paraguay humiliation at World Cup
Former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert posted a racist comment on social media, calling the French national team 'a squad from Africa' after Christophe Dugarry said Paraguay would be humiliated in their World Cup last-16 match on Saturday.
The exchange
A bitter verbal clash between two retired internationals has injected racial tension into the World Cup last-16 tie between Paraguay and France. Christophe Dugarry, a member of France's 1998 winning squad, told RMC radio that Paraguay would be "humiliated" and "massacred", describing their attack as "catastrophic". José Luis Chilavert, the iconic former Paraguay goalkeeper, responded on X with a screenshot of Dugarry's words and a message that called the French team "a squad from Africa".
Paraguay will be hammered. They will try to defend because they are incapable, incapable, I repeat twice to be clear, of building play. Offensively, they are catastrophic.
Christophe, you're right. In 1998 we faced the French and now Paraguay will face a squad from Africa.
Dugarry's provocation
Dugarry, now a pundit, was on the bench when France beat Paraguay 1-0 in the 1998 round of 16. His pre-match assessment left no room for doubt: Paraguay would be "vapuleada y humillada" (hammered and humiliated), he said, repeating the word "incapable" for emphasis. The comments were picked up by Chilavert, who posted them alongside his own reply.
Chilavert's response and history
Chilavert's remark, which points to the many French players of African heritage, was immediately condemned as racist. The 60-year-old is no stranger to controversy. He stood as a far-right candidate in Paraguay's 2023 presidential election and has previously made homophobic statements. In February, he said Vinicius Jr should "stick to football" and claimed Kylian Mbappé "lives with a trans person", adding that "football is a playground reserved for men". The French Football Federation declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.
1998 echoes
The two countries last met at this stage of the World Cup 28 years ago. On 28 June 1998 in Lens, a stubborn Paraguay side, marshalled by Chilavert in goal, held France scoreless for 113 minutes. Laurent Blanc finally broke the deadlock with the first golden goal in World Cup history, sending the hosts through. France went on to lift the trophy. That match remains a reference point for both nations.
- France beat Paraguay 1-0 in the World Cup round of 16 with a golden goal by Laurent Blanc.
- Christophe Dugarry says Paraguay will be 'humiliated' and calls their attack 'catastrophic'.
- José Luis Chilavert responds on X, calling France 'a squad from Africa'.
- Paraguay vs France World Cup round of 16 match in Philadelphia.
Match ahead
Paraguay and France play at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday 4 July, with kick-off at 23:00 CEST (17:00 local). Didier Deschamps, who captained France in 1998 and now coaches the side, leads a team heavily favoured to advance. The pre-match narrative, however, has been shaped by the exchange between two veterans of that 1998 encounter.
