France and England will lock horns in the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff on Saturday, July 18 (Sunday, July 19 in India), with both European heavyweights looking to end their campaigns on a winning note. After suffering semifinal defeats to Spain and Argentina respectively, the two sides now battle for the bronze medal in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
The match will also mark the end of an era for Didier Deschamps, who is set to take charge of France for the 187th and final time. The World Cup-winning captain has spent 14 years at the helm of Les Bleus and will hope to bow out with a victory.
France vs England FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Preview
Both teams entered the tournament as title contenders but fell short in the semifinals. France were beaten 2-0 by Spain, while England suffered a 2-1 defeat to defending champions Argentina.
The third-place playoff offers an opportunity for Didier Deschamps' side and Thomas Tuchel's England to finish their World Cup journey with a victory and secure the bronze medal. The contest is also expected to feature several star players, including Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, adding further intrigue to one of international football's biggest rivalries.
France vs England head-to-head
England hold a slight historical advantage, winning 17 of the 32 meetings between the two nations, while five matches have ended in draws. However, France emerged victorious in their most recent FIFA World Cup clash, defeating England 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2022 tournament after Harry Kane missed a crucial late penalty.
France will once again rely on the attacking brilliance of Kylian Mbappé, who is chasing a second successive World Cup Golden Boot. England, led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, has enough quality to challenge any opponent but will need an improved all-round performance to spoil Deschamps' farewell.
France vs England FIFA World Cup 2026: Date, Venue, and match time in IST
Match: France vs England (Third-place playoff)
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026 (IST)
Kick-off time: 2:30 AM IST
Venue: Miami Stadium, Florida, USA
Referee: Ivan Barton
France vs England live streaming in India
Football fans in India can watch the France vs England FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff live on the ZEE5 platform and app with a valid subscription.
The match will also be televised live on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram
England squad
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Ezri Konsa, Nico O'Reilly, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Reece James, Djed Spence, Jarell Quansah
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze
Forwards: Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Ivan Toney
