Currently ranked 10th in the world, Germany are not widely seen as genuine contenders to win the trophy, even if coach Julian Nagelsmann insists that has to be their aim.
“When you talk about the German national team, it is all about trying to win every game. It is all about winning the game tomorrow,” Nagelsmann said on Sunday.
The winner of the Germany-Paraguay duel will face either France or Sweden in the last 16.
The Netherlands meanwhile head into their tie with Morocco wary of the threat posed by the north Africans, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament in 2022.
“It’s a good team with a lot of quality, and they can score easily,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said.
The Netherlands are World Cup royalty but have never been crowned, finishing as runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
Often cited as the best national team never to have won the tournament, they are unbeaten in 15 World Cup matches since losing the final in 2010, if penalty shootouts are excluded.
The Dutch did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Awaiting the winners will be co-hosts Canada, who became the first team to reach the last 16 on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat of South Africa in Los Angeles.
Captain Stephen Eustaquio scored the only goal in the second minute of injury time.
“I think the effect that it will have in Canada and the inspiring of people will be immense,” said Canada coach Jesse Marsch.
