England vs France: World Cup third-place playoff preview, team news and key stats
By Joel Masibo, July 18, 2026France and England will put their 2026 FIFA World Cup disappointments behind them when they meet in Saturday’s, July 18, 2026 third-place playoff in Miami, with both teams chasing a bronze medal after falling short in the semi-finals.
Les Bleus saw their title hopes ended by Spain, who secured a convincing 2-0 victory, while England surrendered an early lead before losing 2-1 to defending champions Argentina.
Match preview
France head coach Didier Deschamps will oversee his final match in charge after his team’s defeat to Spain. The experienced manager had acknowledged before the semi-final that Spain entered the contest as favourites, and Luis de la Fuente’s side justified that billing with another impressive display against the French.
Spain advanced to the final thanks to Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty and Pedro Porro’s superb strike, while France’s usually dangerous attack struggled to create meaningful chances. Kylian Mbappe and his teammates produced very little in front of goal as Spain comfortably controlled proceedings.
Although Deschamps became the coach with the most World Cup matches managed during the tournament, criticism followed France’s tactical display. Mbappe also questioned the team’s approach after the defeat.
The outgoing coach will now try to finish his tenure by guiding France to another third-place finish. Les Bleus claimed bronze in 1958 and 1986 but finished fourth after losing the 1982 playoff against Poland.
England also head into the match under pressure after their collapse against Argentina. Thomas Tuchel’s men started brightly and took the lead through Anthony Gordon, but the defending champions responded strongly. Lionel Messi created goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez as Argentina completed the comeback to book a place in the final.
The defeat reignited questions over England’s performances in major tournaments, with the Three Lions once again unable to overcome one of the world’s leading football nations in the knockout stages.
England have now lost all seven World Cup knockout matches against teams ranked inside FIFA’s top 10 and became the first nation this century to surrender a semi-final lead on two separate occasions, having also suffered a similar fate against Croatia in 2018.
Tuchel can still guide England to their joint-second-best World Cup finish, although the Three Lions have lost both of their previous third-place playoffs, falling to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018.
History also favours France in this fixture, with England winning only one of their last nine meetings against Les Bleus. France also eliminated England in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
Team news
France are expected to be without central defender William Saliba after he aggravated his long-term back problem during the semi-final against Spain. An official update has yet to be provided, but Maxence Lacroix is expected to replace him in defence.
Deschamps previously preferred Lacroix ahead of Ibrahima Konate because he believed Konate was not at his best and less comfortable playing on the left side of central defence. However, the Liverpool defender could still return as the coach considers changes for his farewell match.
Reserve goalkeeper Brice Samba missed training after the semi-final, but Mike Maignan is expected to retain his place between the posts.
England also have defensive concerns after Reece James suffered a muscle injury during the defeat to Argentina, shortly after returning from a hamstring problem.
Jarell Quansah is available again after serving a two-match suspension, although Djed Spence could move to right-back, allowing Nico O’Reilly to return on the left side of defence.
Jordan Henderson remains unavailable because of a wrist injury, while the rest of Tuchel’s squad is fit. Jude Bellingham could also face disciplinary scrutiny after television footage appeared to show him making contact with Argentina’s Valentin Barco during post-match celebrations.
Possible lineups
France: Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Lacroix, Theo Hernandez; Kone, Zaire-Emery; Cherki, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.
England: Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.