FIFA Confirms Officiating Team for France-England Bronze Final
Kylian Mbappé’s France face Harry Kane’s England on Saturday as governing body finalises match officials for the fixture at Hard Rock Stadium.
FIFA has confirmed the officiating team for the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff, a fixture that will see France take on England in Miami Gardens, Florida. The match, widely referred to as the Bronze Final, is scheduled for Saturday, 18 July, at 5 p.m. local time.
The appointment of match officials underscores the administrative finalisation of the tournament’s closing stages. Assistant referees Jorde Urrego and Tulio Morena have been designated for the role, with Zakaria Brinsi serving as the reserve assistant referee. While the identities of the assistant officials are now public, the specific name of the central referee has not been disclosed in current reports from the governing body.
France arrives at this stage having topped Group I with victories over Senegal, Norway, and Iraq. Their path to the semi-finals included knockout wins against Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco. Their campaign concluded in Arlington, Texas, where they were held scoreless by Spain, a result that denied them a place in the final.
England, captained by Harry Kane, secured their position in the knockout rounds by winning Group L with results against Croatia, Panama, and Ghana. The squad, managed by Didier Deschamps for France and featuring key players such as Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, will now contest the consolation match at Hard Rock Stadium.
The fixture has drawn attention from analysts who suggest a tight contest, with some predictions pointing to a 2-2 draw decided by penalties. However, the physical toll of the tournament, including significant injuries sustained during the semi-finals, is cited as a critical factor. Squad rotation and player health management are expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome of this final match of the 2026 World Cup.
