France and England will look for some redemption at the 2026 Fifa World Cup when they meet in the third-place playoff, set for the Miami Stadium on the evening of Saturday, 18 July. Kick-off is at 11pm CAT.
FORM AND TEAM NEWS
France were the most impressive team at the tournament and many pundits’ favourite to go all the way – that was until they faced Spain in the semifinal in Dallas and suffered a 2-0 defeat. The two-time World Cup winners were outplayed in every department by La Roja, ending their dream of lifting the trophy in New Jersey on Sunday.
Coach Didier Deschamps will have his last match in charge in Miami, bringing to an end a 14-year tenure. He is likely to mix up his team selection to give fringe squad players a taste of the tournament, though it is likely that Kylian Mbappe will continue to lead the attack as he looks to end as the Golden Boot winner (eight goals, level with Lionel Messi). William Saliba, who limped off early in the clash with Spain, will be unavailable due to injury.
England appeared to be on course for their first final since 1966 when Anthony Gordon put them ahead against Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday, but Thomas Tuchel’s team regressed into a defensive approach and allowed La Albiceleste to take control of the game – ultimately securing a 2-1 triumph after strikes from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.
The Three Lions will have Jarell Quansah back from suspension. Tuchel is likely to rotate his team selection and give playing opportunities to the likes of Trevor Chalobah, Kobbie Mainoo, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.
WHAT THE TEAMS ARE SAYING
France forward Kylian Mbappe
“We didn't play the game we wanted, technically, tactically. When you don't do what you have to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don't win. Spain respected their game plan and what the team usually does. They like to control the ball and the tempo. Our plan was to press them high so they could not install their rhythm, because they are better than us at controlling a game. We didn't manage to do it. We were too sloppy technically. We could not hurt them when we could have.”
England coach Thomas Tuchel
“None of our players or none of the French players want to play in this match. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but it is what it is. We have a day less than France to recover, but we will do it professionally. The thing for us is to bounce back and react. That's what you have to do at the highest level of sport and that we will do.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
France – Kylian Mbappe
Though this World Cup will end in disappointment for Mbappe (regardless of the result of this third-place playoff), he could yet win the Golden Boot and/or Golden Ball, given his outstanding performances. If he can rack up a few more goals and put in another strong showing, personal accolades could yet follow.
England – Anthony Gordon
After his fine performances through the knockout rounds – including his goal against Argentina in the semifinal – Gordon has proven himself as a reliable and elite performer for England. He will hope to cap off a fine tournament with a strong showing in Miami on Saturday.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
France and England have met in 32 matches, with the Three Lions winning 17 matches compared to 10 for Les Bleus, while five games have been drawn. The teams’ most recent meeting was in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with France winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud.
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