England and France will put their World Cup disappointment behind them when they face off in Saturday’s third-place playoff, with both European giants looking to end their campaigns on a positive note after painful semi-final exits.
Neither side had expected to be fighting for bronze, having arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup among the favourites for the title. However, defeats to Spain and Argentina respectively ended their dreams of reaching the final, leaving them with one last opportunity to finish the tournament with a victory.
France’s journey came to an abrupt halt in the semi-finals after a 2-0 defeat to an impressive Spain side, despite Les Bleus dominating much of the competition before then. Didier Deschamps’ men had won all six of their previous matches, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading from the front with eight goals.
England, meanwhile, suffered one of the tournament’s most dramatic defeats. The Three Lions looked destined for their first World Cup final since 1966 after taking the lead against defending champions Argentina. However, Lionel Messi inspired a remarkable comeback, setting up Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez as Argentina scored twice in the closing stages to claim a 2-1 victory and book a place in the final.
Now, both nations must shift their focus to securing third place in what promises to be an entertaining encounter at Miami Stadium.
Beyond the battle for bronze, individual honours will also be on the line. Mbappé enters the match level with Argentina captain Lionel Messi on eight goals in the race for the Golden Boot, although Messi currently leads due to his superior assist tally. England captain Harry Kane and midfield star Jude Bellingham remain outsiders in the race with six goals each and could still close the gap with standout performances.
Saturday’s clash also carries emotional significance for France as it marks the end of Didier Deschamps’ remarkable 14-year spell as head coach. During his tenure, Deschamps guided France to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title, another World Cup final in 2022 and consistently established Les Bleus among football’s elite.
Both teams head into the encounter with injury concerns.
France are expected to be without Arsenal defender William Saliba after he aggravated a recurring back problem during the defeat to Spain. Maxence Lacroix is likely to replace him alongside Ibrahima Konaté in central defence, while Theo Hernández, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Rayan Cherki could all be handed starting roles. Mbappé will once again spearhead the French attack.
England are also dealing with key absences. Reece James is expected to miss the game with a muscular injury, while Jordan Henderson remains sidelined with a broken wrist. Jude Bellingham’s availability is uncertain following a possible FIFA disciplinary review after the Argentina defeat, opening the door for Morgan Rogers and Kobbie Mainoo to feature more prominently.
History suggests England have unfinished business in the third-place playoff. The Three Lions have lost both of their previous appearances at this stage, falling 2-1 to Italy in 1990 before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Belgium at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. France, meanwhile, will be determined to give Deschamps a winning farewell and ensure their campaign ends on a more positive note.
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