{"id":1468933,"date":"2026-07-16T10:52:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T09:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=news&p=1468933"},"modified":"2026-07-16T10:53:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T09:53:03","slug":"france-vs-england-team-news-predicted-lineups","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup\/france-vs-england-team-news-predicted-lineups\/","title":{"rendered":"France vs England team news and predicted lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

France<\/a> and England<\/a> meet in the 2026 World Cup<\/a> third-place play-off on Saturday at 10pm (UK time).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em>‘ quest fell against Spain<\/a>, having been expertly nullifed by the new World Cup favourites<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

England have the better historic record in this matchup with 17 wins to France’s 10. But Les Bleus<\/em> have won five of the past seven games and are unbeaten against England in their past four matches at major tournaments.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Bet365<\/a>\t\t\t\t
\n \n bet365<\/a> <\/span>\n \n Use code SQUAWKA365 and bet \u00a310 to get \u00a330 in free bets<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Use code SQUAWKA365 and bet \u00a310 to get \u00a330 in free bets<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\tClaim Offer<\/a>
\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t