England close their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against France in the third-place play-off, the game FIFA now brands the bronze final, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Saturday 18 July, kick-off 10pm BST. Both nations arrive nursing the same wound: England were beaten 2-1 by Argentina and France lost 2-0 to Spain in the semi-finals, so Saturday is a chance to leave the United States with a medal rather than the memory of a last-four defeat. The full fixture context, every result and the all-time record are set out on our England v France head-to-head page.
Match facts
- CompetitionWorld Cup 2026 third-place play-off
- DateSaturday 18 July 2026
- Kick-off10pm BST (5pm ET)
- VenueHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- UK TVBBC One / BBC iPlayer
What is at stake in the bronze final
More than pride is on offer for Thomas Tuchel's side. Victory would hand England their best World Cup finish in 60 years, bettered only by the 1966 triumph, and would break a wretched record in this exact fixture: England have lost both of their previous third-place play-offs, 2-1 to hosts Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018. For France there is a sense of occasion too, with Saturday widely reported to be Didier Deschamps' final match in charge after more than a decade in the job. The winners take home bronze medals and the larger share of prize money, the losers finish fourth.
England team news
Tuchel has a selection puzzle shaped by fatigue and late injuries. Reece James is a major doubt after being forced off with a suspected muscular problem against Argentina, while Jordan Henderson is sidelined with a wrist injury. Declan Rice, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have all carried heavy workloads and could be rested or rotated, which may open the door for Kobbie Mainoo to make his first appearance of the tournament and for Ollie Watkins to lead the line. Jarell Quansah returns from suspension to strengthen the defence, and Djed Spence could shift across to cover at full-back. How much Tuchel freshens things up will shape the game, though he has suggested he still wants a positive finish.
France team news
France are close to full strength but must reshuffle at the back. William Saliba is ruled out after picking up an injury against Spain, with Maxence Lacroix expected to step in alongside Dayot Upamecano. The bigger question is Kylian Mbappe. Deschamps is likely to rotate, yet his captain has every reason to start: Mbappe is chasing the Golden Boot and sits on 20 World Cup goals for his career, one behind Lionel Messi's all-time tally of 21. Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue give France the creativity to punish a tired England side on the counter.
The Golden Boot subplot
The individual race gives the bronze final an edge the fixture often lacks. Mbappe has scored eight goals at the tournament, level with Messi at the top of the charts, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham sit two behind on six apiece. Goals scored in the third-place play-off count towards the award, so a big afternoon in Miami could still swing the Golden Boot, and it may be the single biggest reason both Mbappe and Kane feature despite the rotation talk.
Head-to-head and the 2022 revenge angle
Saturday will be the 33rd meeting between the countries, and England lead the all-time record with 17 wins to France's 10, along with 5 draws since 1923. It is only their fourth encounter at a World Cup: England won 2-0 in the 1966 group stage and 3-1 in Bilbao in 1982, before France won 2-1 in the 2022 quarter-final in Qatar, a night defined by Kane's late penalty miss. That defeat gives the Three Lions an obvious motivation to sign off with a measure of revenge.
What the managers said
How to watch England v France
The bronze final kicks off at 10pm BST on Saturday 18 July at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. In the United Kingdom the match is live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Related World Cup 2026 coverage
England's semi-final exit is covered in full on our England v Argentina head-to-head page, while the criticism aimed at the manager afterwards is examined in our Thomas Tuchel backlash article. You can keep track of every knockout result on the World Cup 2026 fixtures and stats page, and once the bronze final is settled, attention turns to the Spain v Argentina final.
England v France: Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the England v France third-place play-off at the 2026 World Cup, from kick-off time and team news to the Golden Boot race and how to watch.
When do England play France in the World Cup third-place play-off?
England face France on Saturday 18 July 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with kick-off at 10pm BST (5pm ET). In the United Kingdom the game is live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Why are England and France playing for third place?
Both nations lost their semi-finals. England were beaten 2-1 by defending champions Argentina and France lost 2-0 to Spain, so the two sides meet in the third-place play-off, the game FIFA now calls the bronze final.
What is at stake in the bronze final?
The winners take home bronze medals and a larger share of prize money. Victory would also give England their best World Cup finish since 1966 and a first ever win in a third-place play-off, having lost to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018.
What is England's head-to-head record against France?
England lead the all-time record, winning 17 of the 32 meetings since 1923, drawing 5 and losing 10. Saturday in Miami will be the 33rd meeting between the countries and their fourth at a World Cup.
When did England last play France?
France won 2-1 in the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a match remembered for Harry Kane's late penalty miss. It was the most recent of the three previous World Cup meetings between the sides.
Could the match affect the Golden Boot?
Yes. Kylian Mbappe has eight goals, level with Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring charts, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham sit on six. Goals scored in the third-place play-off count towards the award, so the result could influence who wins it.
Is this Didier Deschamps' last match as France manager?
Saturday's bronze final is widely reported to be Didier Deschamps' final game in charge of France after more than a decade leading Les Bleus.