World Cup Day 33 What to Watch – France and England battle for third place

The FIFA World Cup 2026 enters its penultimate day on Saturday as France and England meet in the third-place playoff in Miami.

Both nations arrived at the tournament with ambitions of lifting the trophy but suffered painful semi-final defeats. France were beaten 2-0 by Spain, while England surrendered a lead in a 2-1 loss to defending champions Argentina.

With Spain and Argentina preparing to contest Sunday’s final, France and England have one final opportunity to end their campaigns with a victory and secure the bronze medal.

France vs England

The third-place playoff may not be the match either team wanted, but there is still plenty at stake when two of Europe’s biggest football nations meet.

France enter the game looking to recover from a disappointing semi-final performance against Spain. Didier Deschamps’ side struggled to impose themselves as the European champions controlled possession and secured a 2-0 victory to reach the final.

England’s exit was equally painful. The Three Lions took the lead against Argentina through Anthony Gordon but were unable to protect their advantage. Late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez completed Argentina’s comeback and ended England’s hopes of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.

Thomas Tuchel has faced criticism over his tactical decisions during the defeat, particularly England’s decision to adopt a more defensive approach after going ahead. The England coach has defended his choices and now wants his team to demonstrate how much they have grown during the tournament.

Victory would give England their best World Cup finish since winning the competition in 1966.

Deschamps takes charge of France for final time

The match will carry special significance for France as it marks Didier Deschamps’ final game as national team coach.

Deschamps has spent 14 years in charge of Les Bleus, overseeing one of the most successful periods in the country’s football history. France won the 2018 World Cup under his leadership, reached another final in 2022 and again advanced to the last four in 2026.

Despite admitting that neither France nor England wanted to be playing for third place, Deschamps has stressed that his team still have a responsibility to finish the tournament strongly.

France could make changes to their starting lineup after a demanding campaign, although captain Kylian Mbappé is available for selection.

The French players will be determined to give Deschamps a winning farewell before a new era begins for the national team.

Mbappe has golden boot in sight

There is also an individual prize at stake for Kylian Mbappe.

The France captain has scored eight goals at the tournament and is level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. With Messi playing in Sunday’s final, Mbappe has an opportunity to move ahead before his rival takes the field.

Whether Mbappe starts remains uncertain, with Deschamps expected to rotate his squad, but his availability adds another intriguing storyline to the contest.

England also possess players capable of influencing the Golden Boot race. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have both scored six goals during the tournament and will hope to finish their campaigns strongly if selected.

One final chance to end on a high

Third-place playoffs can sometimes feel like an unwanted assignment for teams still dealing with the disappointment of losing a semi-final. However, Saturday’s encounter offers France and England an opportunity to leave the tournament with something positive.

For France, victory would provide a fitting farewell for Deschamps after more than a decade in charge. For England, finishing third would represent their strongest World Cup performance in six decades.

Both coaches could rotate their squads and give opportunities to players who have featured less during the tournament, but once the match begins, pride and the desire to finish with a victory are likely to take over.

Match to watch

• France vs England (Third-place playoff)

Day 33 provides the final act before Sunday’s World Cup final. France want to give Deschamps a winning send-off, England are looking to respond to their painful semi-final exit, and Mbappé has another opportunity to strengthen his claim for the Golden Boot.

By the end of the night, the third-best team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be confirmed, leaving Spain and Argentina as the last two nations standing.