THE bronze final is the game neither side wanted to be in. France lost to Spain and England lost to Argentina in the semifinals, and now they meet in Miami to sort out third place. It’s easy to be cynical about this fixture, but there is a medal, national pride and a Kylian Mbappe against Harry Kane sub-plot to make it worth watching.
This match, between the two losing semi-finalists, has been played in every World Cup since 1954. England have competed in two of them, losing to hosts Italy in 1990 and to Belgium in 2018 in Russia.
Thomas Tuchel makes seven changes to the England XI which started their semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Marc Guehi, Djed Spence and Morgan Rogers all keep their places – as does Declan Rice, who captains the side.
Kobbie Mainoo, who has not played a minute at the World Cup, misses out due to injury
England XI: D. Henderson; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, Spence; Rice, Eze; Saka, Rogers, Rashford; Toney
Subs: Pickford, O’Reilly, Stones, Anderson, Kane, Bellingham, Chalobah, J. Henderson, Burn, Gordon, Watkins, Madueke, Trafford, James
France manager Didier Deschamps has made seven changes to the team which lost 2-0 to Spain, for his final match in charge of Les Bleus.
Goalkeeper Mike Maignan, midfielder Adrian Rabiot, forward Michael Olise and captain Kylian Mbappe all keep their places in the starting XI.
Vice-captain N’Golo Kante, who has not played a minute at the tournament so far, is on the bench.
France XI: Maignan; T. Hernández, Lacroix, Konate, Gusto; Rabiot, Zaïre-Emery, Doue; Cherki, Olise, Mbappe
Subs: Akliouche, Barcola, Dembele, Digne, L. Hernandez, Kante, Kone, Kounde, Mateta, Risser, Saliba, Samba, Tchouameni, Thuram, Upamecano
William Saliba is ruled out with a back issue and likely surgery on the World Cup injury table, so Ibrahima Konate steps in alongside Maxence Lacroix for this one. Brice Samba is a doubt for this game due to a calf injury and if the goalie had to change for this clash, Robin Risser would be the one starting between the posts. The projected XI shows several changes from the semifinal, but Kylian Mbappe still leads the line and remains the tournament’s most dangerous finisher, with Rayan Cherki and Ousmane Dembele providing the creativity. Check RotoWire’s player news for the confirmed lineup.
Manager Didier Deschamps has the depth to reshape his side and still field plenty of quality, and France’s attacking talent is a level most teams cannot match even in a rotated lineup. The motivation question is real in a third-place game, but the finishing is not, and that is where France can win it.
England are also projected to freshen up, with Ivan Toney, Morgan Rogers and Noni Madueke coming into the side and Harry Kane on the bench. There are no fresh injury concerns except unlucky Kobbie Mainoo, though this is a squad that looked physically and emotionally spent after a draining semifinal defeat.
Coach Thomas Tuchel will want a response and a performance to end the tournament on, and Harry Kane gives England a focal point and a set-piece threat regardless of who else plays. The worry is a hangover from the semifinal, both in the legs and the mood, against opponents who can punish any drop in intensity.
These two met most recently in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal, when France won 2-1 through Aurelien Tchouameni and Olivier Giroud, while Harry Kane missed a late penalty that would have forced extra time. That result still stings for England, and while a third-place game carries none of that weight, it adds a little edge to a fixture between two sides who know each other well.
France will back their quality in the final third even in a changed side, getting Kylian Mbappe running in behind and using Rayan Cherki and Ousmane Dembele to create. They are comfortable playing on the counter and have the finishers to make a handful of chances count, which is the profile that beats a tired opponent. With N’Golo Kante and Warren Zaire-Emery in midfield, they should have enough control to pick their moments.
England will lean on Saka, Rashford and Toney, and Thomas Tuchel will want the freshened side to press and play with intensity. The danger is that a semifinal hangover saps the energy that makes England effective, and a rotated defense can be got at by France’s runners. If England match France for sharpness, this is a coin flip. If they are flat, France pull away.
This is genuinely hard to call because so much depends on the team sheets, but I lean France. Their finishing edge is the difference in a game like this, and I expect an England side low on legs and morale to struggle to keep pace over 90 minutes.
ANALYSIS:
The contest between Declan Rice and Kylian Mbappe may well define how this game unfolds. Rice has been England’s defensive anchor throughout the tournament, tasked with limiting the space through which opponents can transition quickly. Mbappe, however, has scored eight goals in this World Cup and has consistently found pockets of space between the lines.
France’s ability to use the width of Dembele and Barcola to drag England’s backline across before feeding Mbappe centrally has been a recurring theme. If Rice cannot restrict that movement, France’s attacking combinations could prove too fluid for England to contain over 90 minutes.
France may win this World Cup 2026 third-place playoff. Their superior goal return throughout the tournament, Mbappe’s remarkable eight-goal haul, and France’s psychological edge from eliminating England in Qatar all point towards a French victory. Deschamps’ side have scored at least once in every match at this tournament, while England have conceded in four of their five games.
Both nations have been involved in high-scoring matches. England conceded in four of their five fixtures, and France averaged over two goals per game during their winning run. With limited defensive pressure and both coaches expected to field attacking selections, over 3.5 goals represents genuine value at 11/10.
Mbappe has eight goals in five matches at this World Cup. He has scored in every stage of the tournament and is directly involved in the majority of France’s attacking play. He remains the standout anytime scorer pick regardless of format or opponent, and with the golden boot discussion still ongoing, his motivation to add to his tally is clear.
This reflects the most likely pattern: France edging the contest with two well-taken goals while England find the net once, continuing the same scoreline pattern that defined their 2022 World Cup quarter-final. Both sides have the attacking quality to score, but France’s greater consistency at this tournament makes them the likeliest winner.
PREDICTIONS:
Sadiq’s Prediction: France enter the third-place playoff with a slight advantage based on their attacking efficiency and recent record against England. Didier Deschamps’ side have scored in every match of the tournament, while Kylian Mbappe’s eight goals underline his status as the competition’s most dangerous attacker. England, meanwhile, have struggled to keep clean sheets, conceding in four of their five games.
The key tactical battle will revolve around Declan Rice and Mbappe. England’s midfielder has been vital in shielding the defence, but France’s strategy of stretching opponents through Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola before releasing Mbappe centrally could expose gaps between the lines.
History also favours France. Their quarter-final victory over England at the 2022 World Cup provides a psychological boost, and with Mbappe chasing the Golden Boot, France may have just enough quality to edge another closely fought encounter.
My Prediction: France 3-1 England
Peter’s Prediction: A more open contest could play directly into France’s hands. Both teams have been involved in entertaining matches throughout the World Cup, but France’s superior attacking depth gives them the edge. Mbappe, Dembele and Barcola possess the pace and movement to trouble England’s defence repeatedly.
Tactically, Deschamps is expected to use width to force England’s backline out of shape before exploiting central spaces. Rice will have a huge responsibility, but if Jude Bellingham and England’s midfield fail to provide additional cover, France could dominate transition moments.
France’s record supports such a prediction. Les Bleus have averaged more than two goals per game during the tournament, while England’s defensive vulnerabilities suggest they may struggle to contain one of the world’s most potent attacks over 90 minutes.
My Prediction: France 2-1 England
Gbenga’s Prediction: This could develop into the highest-scoring game of the tournament. With neither side under the pressure of a final and both managers likely to adopt positive approaches, chances should come at both ends. England possess enough quality to score, but France’s attacking combinations remain more consistent.
Mbappe’s form is the biggest factor. The French captain has scored eight goals in five matches and has delivered in every round of the competition. Supported by Dembele’s creativity and Barcola’s pace, France have multiple ways of breaking down England’s defence.
England’s attacking players are capable of responding, but France’s experience in major tournaments and their superior finishing ability make them favourites in a goal-laden encounter. A 4-2 scoreline would reflect the attacking quality on display and England’s defensive frailties.
My Prediction: France 5-3 England
Gloria’s Prediction: England still possess enough quality to upset the odds and secure third place. Gareth Southgate’s side have shown resilience throughout the competition, and Declan Rice’s duel with Mbappe could determine whether England can finally overcome France on the world stage.
For England to win, Rice must successfully limit Mbappe’s influence while the team exploits spaces left by France’s attacking full-backs. Quick transitions and set pieces could prove decisive, especially if England’s midfield controls possession and denies France opportunities to counter.
Although France hold the stronger recent record and boast the tournament’s leading scorer, England have enough talent and motivation to produce a response. If their defensive organisation improves and they take their chances, a narrow 2-1 victory is possible.
My Prediction: France 1-2 England