France and England meet in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday at 10pm (UK time).
It’s a game neither team will have wanted to be in, a small consolation prize for being losing semi-finalists. England will be kicking themselves most. The Three Lions led their semi-final against Argentina going into the final 10 minutes. But Thomas Tuchel’s overly-defensive changes eventually caught up with them, and they suffered a comeback defeat in normal time.
The defeat brought an end to England’s positive run at this summer’s World Cup, and confirmed the 60-year wait will continue. But England do have a chance of securing their second-best World Cup finish after lifting the trophy in 1966. They have been in the third-place play-off once before, losing to Belgium in 2018.
France, meanwhile, missed out on the chance of being just the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. West Germany were the first, in a run between 1982 and 1990, before Brazil achieved the feat between 1994 and 2002. But Les Bleus‘ quest fell against Spain, having been expertly nullifed by the new World Cup favourites.
This is just the third time France have made it to the semi-finals and not reached the final, previously doing so in 1958 and 1986. But on both occasions France did secure a third-placed finish. They beat West Germany in the 1958 third-place play-off, before overcoming Belgium in 1986.
England have the better historic record in this matchup with 17 wins to France’s 10. But Les Bleus have won five of the past seven games and are unbeaten against England in their past four matches at major tournaments.
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
France vs England team news
England team news
Third-place play-offs are interesting matches. Some rotation is expected, both to give early rests and allow fringe players a chance at a World Cup start. But Tuchel won’t want to change his team too much, still hoping for a positive finish. Harry Kane has barely had a rest at the World Cup and may drop out of the starting lineup, to give Ollie Watkins a chance to lead the line.
The same might happen for Jude Bellingham, who has run himself to the ground in trying to drag England to the final. We may see Morgan Rogers keep his space in the team on the right, as Tuchel might not want to risk Bukayo Saka. Eberechi Eze would then play in the No.10, with Marcus Rashford on the left.
There should be a change in midfield. Declan Rice had been struggling with fatigue and may be offered a rest, with Kobbie Mainoo getting his first minutes of the tournament. Rice may come off the bench though, to replace Elliot Anderson. Jordan Henderson is unfortunately unavailable through injury.
Reece James had to come off late on against Argentina due to injury, so Djed Spence may switch back over to the right. Nico O’Reilly is likely to return to the left. There may also be a return for Ezri Konsa, alongside Marc Guehi at centre-back. Jordan Pickford should remain in goal.
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets with Bet365
Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...
- Open an account (here's a link)
- Make a qualifying deposit of between £5* and £10*
- Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.
- To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.
- Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled
- To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
France team news
William Saliba had to come off injured in the first half against Spain and won’t start here. Early reports suggest the centre-back could be out for at least four months, in a big blow. Maxence Lacroix came on to replace him and will likely start alongside Dayot Upamecano at the heart of the defence. Jules Kounde should continue at right-back, but Theo Hernandez might replace Lucas Digne on the left.
There may be a change in midfield, with Manu Kone returning to the starting lineup. He dropped out for Aurelien Tchouameni last time out, but it did not have the desired impact. Adrien Rabiot is likely to continue in midfield, with Warren Zaire-Emery and N’Golo Kante having to wait on the bench. Didier Deschamps will surely want to bow out on a high, with this being his final France game.
That’s why we may only see minor changes in attack. Kylian Mbappe is likely to lead the line, still chasing the World Cup Golden Boot. But Rayan Cherki may get a start in place of Michael Olise in the No.10. Desire Doue could also start ahead of Bradley Barcola on the left wing, but Ousmane Dembele may continue on the right.
France vs England predicted lineups
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, T Hernandez; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Cherki, Doue; Mbappe.
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Guehi, Konsa, O’Reilly; Mainoo, Anderson; Rogers, Eze, Rashford; Watkins.
Read more: