France vs England – World Cup 2026 Third-Place Playoff preview

France v England preview

Venue: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Date: Saturday 18th July, 2026
Kick-off: 9 pm
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (Venezuela)

Saturday’s clash in Miami is the game nobody wanted to play: the third-place decider between two European heavyweights who both believed they had a genuine shot at the title.

France were outclassed by Spain in the semi-finals, while England suffered a late, cruel defeat to Argentina after Anthony Gordon’s early goal was overturned by two late strikes from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.

For France, this is a bittersweet farewell. Didier Deschamps, in charge of Les Bleus for 14 years and the man who delivered the 2018 title and the 2022 final, will take charge of the national team for the final time.

His squad will be without Arsenal defender William Saliba, who was forced off injured against Spain, meaning some reshuffling at the back.

The individual subplot adding real spice is the Golden Boot race. Kylian Mbappé has the chance to overhaul the tournament’s scoring charts one last time, while he currently sits level on goals with Lionel Messi but trails on assists, making this his last opportunity to reclaim top spot.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both on six goals, could also stake a claim for the award from the England side.

There’s history here too — these sides have met 32 times previously, most recently in the quarter-finals of this very tournament four years ago, when France eliminated England at the same stage in 2022, giving the Three Lions a touch of revenge motivation even in a bronze game.

Expect rotation from both managers given the physical and emotional toll of the tournament, but neither Deschamps nor Thomas Tuchel will want to send their players out for a limp farewell.

With individual pride, a golden boot chase, and a manager’s last game all on the line, this dead rubber carries more genuine intrigue than most third-place playoffs manage.

Probable XI

France

4-2-3-1

Maignan (GK)

Gusto, Lucas Hernandes, Konate, Theo Hernandes (DF)

Kante, Kone (DM)

Akliouche, Cherki, Olise (ATM)

Mbappe (ST)

England

4-2-3-1

Pickford (GK)

Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly (DF)

Mainoo, Anderson (DM)

Rashford, Bellingham, Saka (ATM)

Kane (ST)