France and England are set to compete for third place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET from Miami Stadium. The match features two of the tournament's top scorers, Kylian Mbappé of France and Harry Kane of England, who are tied with eight and six goals respectively.
France enters the third-place match after winning six of their previous matches, outscoring opponents 16-2 before a semifinal loss to Spain. Mbappé has been a driving force for France, contributing eight goals and three assists. Michael Olise has also been instrumental, providing a tournament-high five assists.
England had a strong run to the semifinals with a 5-1-0 record before their exit against Argentina. Kane and Jude Bellingham have each scored six goals for England, with both players recording two braces during the tournament. Bellingham has shown a knack for late runs and scoring from midfield, a tactic England utilizes to create second-phase scoring opportunities.
The third-place match has been a fixture in the men's World Cup since 1934, with the exception of 1950. Croatia won the most recent third-place game in 2022, defeating Morocco 2-1.
Key Matchup Dynamics
France's transition defense against Jude Bellingham's late runs is anticipated to be a critical aspect of the game. France remains dangerous in open play, and Mbappé's scoring prowess means England must avoid turnovers and maintain midfield spacing. Bellingham's ability to arrive into scoring positions after initial play develops presents a significant challenge.
England's strategy often involves creating these second-phase moments, with Kane and service from the wings stretching France's defense. If this forces French midfielders and center backs to collapse, Bellingham can exploit the space. While France boasts a stronger pure scoring attack, England's best path to victory may lie in converting these transitional moments with midfield runners.
Players to Watch
For France, emerging talents like Bradley Barcola and Elye Wahi could feature prominently. Barcola, an attacking midfielder, has seen limited minutes but could be given an opportunity to impress. Wahi, a winger with Champions League experience, has started three games and could thrive in a more open match. Both represent significant parts of France's future.
England's Tariq Lamptey, a fullback who has played in all seven of the team's matches, could be given a start to help defend against France's attack. Attacker Bukayo Saka, who has assisted on goals and shown strong chemistry with Bellingham, may also play a key role. Saka typically plays wide but can move centrally when Bellingham is off the field, potentially giving him control of the attack if Bellingham is used as a substitute.