France and England meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET from Miami Stadium.
France won all six of its matches before the semifinal loss to Spain, outscoring opponents by a combined 16-2. Kylian Mbappé led the way with eight goals, tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for the tournament lead, and added three assists. Michael Olise chipped in a tournament-high five assists of his own.
England went 5-1-0 before its own semifinal exit against Argentina. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham each scored six goals and added an assist, and each recorded two braces along the way. Kane scored twice against Croatia on June 17 and again against DR Congo on July 1. Bellingham did the same against Mexico on July 5 and against Norway on July 11.
The third-place match has been part of the World Cup since 1934, the second-ever men’s tournament, except for 1950. Croatia beat Morocco, 2-1, in the last third-place game, back in 2022.
Below are the details on how to watch.
How to Watch France vs. England
- When: Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Miami Stadium, Miami, FL
- TV: FOX
- Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One, FOX Sports
France vs. England Preview
France’s transition protection towards Jude Bellingham’s late runs is the important thing battle.
France nonetheless appears to be like most harmful when video games open up. Kylian Mbappé has 8 of France’s 16 objectives on this World Cup, which suggests England can not afford sloppy turnovers or damaged midfield spacing when France breaks ahead. The true strain level is what occurs simply behind that first wave, as a result of Bellingham has matched England’s staff report with 6 non-penalty objectives and retains arriving into scoring spots after the preliminary motion begins.
England are constructed to create these second-phase moments. Harry Kane and the vast service round him can pin France’s again line, and if that forces Aurelien Tchouameni and the middle backs to break down, Bellingham will get the pocket he needs. France has the stronger pure scoring punch, however England’s finest path in play is popping these transition moments right into a midfield runner arriving free.
Watch the area on the high of France’s field after England’s first move into assault, as a result of that’s the place this match can tilt.
Gamers To Watch
The Manchester Metropolis attacking midfielder is stuffed with promise for the French staff however performed solely restricted minutes at this World Cup as a result of taking part in behind Michael Olise. If Deschamps goes to alter issues for the third-place recreation, Cherki could be a very good place to start, as he’s probably anxious to make a constructive impression and construct a case for extra minutes within the coming years.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger is one other testomony to the depth of this French staff. As one of the achieved younger gamers on the planet, with two Champions League titles below his belt by the age of 20 (he turned 21 simply earlier than the beginning of this match), he’s not an everyday starter for France. At this match, he solely began three of France’s first seven video games. In these begins, he scored towards Norway and assisted towards Morocco. He might thrive on this third-place recreation if it turns into vast open, as is probably going. Like Cherki, he’s an enormous a part of the staff’s future.
The Tottenham fullback has performed in all of England’s seven video games and has made two begins. Defensively, he was sturdy off the bench in serving to protect the wins over Mexico and Norway within the knockouts. He is perhaps rewarded with a begin on this recreation to attempt to deal with the highly effective French assault.
In a recreation that must be offensively heavy, Rogers ought to have an opportunity to indicate what he can do. The Aston Villa attacker assisted on Anthony Gordon’s purpose towards Argentina and labored properly with Jude Bellingham. Rogers sometimes performs on the surface when Bellingham is on the sector however strikes centrally when Bellingham isn’t taking part in. On this recreation, he may need the keys to the assault if Bellingham is used as a sub.
World Cup Associated Tales
France vs. England Odds
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