England secure third place in 2026 World Cup after controlling France clash
The 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff in Miami Gardens saw England take control against France, ending Didier Deschamps’ tenure as manager and setting the stage for the final between Argentina and Spain.
England have secured third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating France in the third-place playoff match held in Miami Gardens. The result, determined by early goals that established English control of the fixture, concludes the tournament for both nations and marks the end of Didier Deschamps’ era as France manager.
The match took place on the penultimate day of the competition, serving as the precursor to the final scheduled for Sunday in New Jersey between Argentina and Spain. While betting markets had listed France as favourites for the encounter, with odds of -215 for an overall victory compared to England’s +172, the on-field performance saw England dictate the tempo from the outset.
France entered the match following a 3-0 victory over Iraq in Philadelphia, a game that had been significantly disrupted by severe weather conditions. That previous fixture, in which Kylian Mbappé scored twice, was halted for over two hours due to thunderstorms and lightning, forcing play to resume in Arlington after the pitch was washed out.
The outcome of the Miami Gardens clash determines the final standings for the two European sides. England’s ability to maintain control through early scoring opportunities ensured they finished ahead of their rivals, who had been backed by sports betting markets to secure the podium position.
Lionel Messi remains the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals as the competition heads towards its conclusion. The final between Argentina and Spain is set to take place in New Jersey, with the result of the third-place match having already resolved the immediate hierarchy for the semi-final losers.
