France and England prepare for symbolic World Cup third-place playoff

Thursday 16 July 2026 - 10:58

By: Azzat Manal

France and England prepare for symbolic World Cup third-place playoff

Although France's hopes of lifting the 2026 FIFA World Cup have come to an end, the tournament is not over for Les Bleus. The French national team will face England in Saturday's third-place playoff in Miami, a match that carries symbolic significance despite no longer deciding the world champion.

The encounter will mark the final match of Didier Deschamps' remarkable tenure as France's head coach. After taking charge of the national team in 2012, the 57-year-old manager is expected to step down following 14 successful years that included winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup and guiding France to multiple major international tournaments.

Deschamps leaves behind one of the most impressive coaching records in modern football, consistently leading France to the latter stages of World Cups and European Championships. A victory over England would provide a fitting conclusion to his era before a new chapter begins for the French national team.

Attention will also focus on captain Kylian Mbappé, whose participation remains uncertain following France's semifinal defeat. Should he play, the forward could further strengthen his position among the tournament's leading scorers. Individual milestones remain an additional motivation for one of world football's biggest stars.

England, meanwhile, will also be eager to finish the tournament on a positive note after suffering a heartbreaking semifinal defeat despite leading late in the match. The fixture offers Gareth Southgate's side an opportunity to end their campaign with a victory and restore confidence ahead of future international competitions.

The rivalry between France and England has produced several memorable encounters in recent years, including their dramatic World Cup quarterfinal meeting in Qatar in 2022. While the third-place playoff does not carry the prestige of the final, both teams are expected to approach the match professionally, combining experienced leaders with squad players who have seen limited action during the tournament.

Beyond the result, the match represents the closing chapter of France's Deschamps era and another opportunity for two of Europe's strongest football nations to demonstrate their quality on the international stage.