France and England to contest World Cup third-place playoff in Miami

France and England are set to compete for third place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, 18 July, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The fixture follows the elimination of both teams from the semi-finals, with France losing 2-0 to Spain and England falling 2-1 to Argentina. The match serves as the final tournament appearance for French manager Didier Deschamps.

France enters the contest as the world’s No. 3 ranked team, while England holds the No. 4 position. This encounter marks the 33rd all-time meeting between the two nations and acts as a rematch of the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal, which France won 2-1. The previous meeting featured two penalties converted by Harry Kane and one missed, with Olivier Giroud securing the decisive header for Les Bleus.

The path to this stage has been arduous for both squads. France topped Group I with victories over Senegal, Norway, and Iraq, before progressing through the knockout stages with wins against Sweden, Paraguay, and Morocco. Their run ended abruptly in the semi-finals in Arlington, Texas, where they were held scoreless by Spain. England, meanwhile, won Group L with results against Croatia, Panama, and Ghana, but faced narrow victories in the knockout rounds against DR Congo, Mexico, and Norway.

England’s semi-final exit in Atlanta was particularly contentious. After taking a one-goal lead through Anthony Gordon in the 54th minute, the team conceded twice in the final seven minutes to lose 2-1. England manager Thomas Tuchel admitted the tactical shift backfired, while captain Harry Kane described the result as gutting. Tuchel is expected to make significant squad changes due to fatigue and the lack of title stakes, with rumors suggesting he may rotate players heavily.

With the tournament’s competitive intensity diminished, both managers are likely to prioritise rest and squad rotation. France’s attack, which had outscored opponents 16-2 through six games, sputtered against Spain’s defence. Individual awards remain a point of contention, with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals each. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are tied for third with six goals, though they face a steep challenge to overtake the leaders.

Zinedine Zidane is expected to take over as France’s head coach following the tournament, adding a layer of transition to Deschamps’ farewell. The match will be broadcast by Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with live streaming available via Fubo. CBS Sports Golazo Network will provide up to 12 hours of programming per matchday, covering the event from morning previews to nightly recaps.

Predictions for the fixture suggest a tight contest, with some analysts forecasting a 2-2 draw decided by penalties. However, the physical toll of the tournament, including significant injuries sustained during the semi-finals, may dictate the outcome. Whoever manages their rotated lineup and health most effectively may gain the upper hand in this consolation prize.