France vs England Prediction, Preview, Team News and Expected Lineups

France and England, both beaten in the semi-finals, will take on each other in the third-place playoff at the FIFA World Cup 2026. France and England, who were considered the favorites for the FIFA World Cup 2026, will face each other in a match that nobody really wants to play in this game. But on Saturday, France and England will do exactly that anyway, meeting in Miami to fight for bronze at the 2026 World Cup.

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France had a tremendous campaign throughout, except for the semi-final against Spain. Kylian Mbappe’s side were scoring goals for fun. Then Spain shut them down, winning 2-0 and ending Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching back-to-back finals.

England, on the other side, had a similar story. They had needed extra time to get past Norway, then went out fighting against Argentina. Anthony Gordon put the Three Lions ahead, but Lionel Messi set up two goals in reply – one for Enzo Fernandez, one for Lautaro Martinez, as Argentina came back to win 2-1 and book their place in the final.

Quick Match Details

Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026
Stage: Third-place playoff
Date: July 18
Kick-off Time: 5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. BST / 2:30 a.m. IST (July 19)
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida, USA

France vs England : Match Preview and Current Form

France

When the final whistle blew in France’s semi-final clash against Spain, Didier Deschamps was left facing an uncomfortable truth. Spain looked like a team with unfinished business, drawing on memories of beating France at Euro 2024 and in last season’s Nations League. Mikel Oyarzabal scored a perfect penalty, and later Pedro Porro added a well-taken second.

Kylian Mbappé and France’s attack barely got going all night, managing just 0.31 Expected Goals in Dallas. Spain’s impressive defence comfortably won against France’s attack

Deschamps did set one record on the night for most World Cup matches managed by anyone in history. But that’s little comfort. The general feeling, among fans and pundits alike, is that he got his tactics badly wrong. Even Mbappé didn’t hold back, criticising France’s approach after the game.

So Deschamps’ France career ends with a match he never wanted to be managing. Now he’ll try to send Les Bleus out with a bronze medal, France’s third from four third-place playoffs, and their first since 1986, when they beat Belgium 4-2. They also thrashed West Germany 6-3 back in 1958, with Just Fontaine scoring all four goals in one game. The exception was 1982, when they finished fourth behind Poland.

World Cup Form: W-W-W-W-W-L

England

Thomas Tuchel’s side became the target of plenty of frustration on Wednesday night, after all the pre-match optimism back home came crashing down.

England actually started on a brilliant note against Argentina, exposing gaps out wide to take the lead through Anthony Gordon. But then they sat back, inviting pressure from Lionel Messi and his teammates, and Messi made them pay. Two assists later, for Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez, Argentina had turned the game around, keeping their hopes of back-to-back World Cup wins alive. For England, it’s yet another painful tournament exit to pick apart.

This was England’s seventh straight World Cup knockout defeat against a top-10 ranked side. England also remains the only country this century to lead a men’s World Cup semi-final and still lose, and remarkably, they’ve now done it twice — the first time was against Croatia eight years ago.

If England wins Saturday’s playoff, it’ll be their second-best World Cup finish ever. Even so, a bronze medal would be pretty cold comfort. England have won just one of their last nine games against France, including a painful quarter-final exit to Deschamps’ France at the 2022 World Cup.

World Cup Form: D-W-W-W-W-L

France vs England : Team News and Injury Updates

France

William Saliba left the pitch in the first half of Tuesday’s defeat against Spain, with his ongoing back problem flaring up again. It’s grim news for both France and Arsenal fans.There has been no official confirmation on Saliba availability and he is most likely to be benched. That opens the door for Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix, who came on for him in Arlington and now looks set to start.

Deschamps picked Lacroix ahead of Ibrahima Konaté as he wasn’t at his best. Now, with Real Madrid-bound Lacroix impressing, he could even keep his place ahead of Dayot Upamecano as Deschamps makes small changes to his line-up.

There was also a surprise absence in France’s first training session after the semi-final, backup goalkeeper Brice Samba missed out. That said, no change is expected between the posts regardless.

England

England have injury worries of their own. Reece James was forced off with what looked like a muscle problem against Argentina, just a week after recovering from a hamstring issue. It’s a cruel run of luck for the full-back.

Jarell Quansah has now served his two-match ban and could come in to replace James. If he does, expect Djed Spence, in fine form lately to switch to the right, allowing Nico O’Reilly to move back to his usual spot on the left.

Jordan Henderson is still out with a wrist injury, but otherwise England have a fully fit squad to choose from. Tuchel is expected to name a strong team, hoping to send his players out with a good result.

One player to watch, though, is Jude Bellingham, who might face a ban as he was caught slapping Valentin Barco’s head during Argentina’s celebrations.