Here are the predicted lineups and team news ahead of the 2026 World Cup Third Place Play-Off at the Miami Stadium on Saturday.
Despite many, including players and fans, not wanting this game following the disappointment of their semi-final defeats in midweek, the game must be played. Both head coaches are expected to ring the changes and give minutes to those who have featured less than they would have liked.
Read More: England Player Ratings For 2026 World Cup
France vs England: Predicted Lineups for 2026 World Cup Third Place Play-off
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Venue: Miami Stadium
Kick-off: 23:00 France, 22:00 UK, 17:00 Local
Last meeting: England 1-2 France (2022 World Cup Quarter-Final)
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela
Current odds:
France Team News
It’s the end of an era for the French as head coach Didier Deschamps takes charge of his last game. His 14 years in charge have brought one World Cup winners medal and one runner-up place. Plus a runner-up medal in the European Championships. With this being his last game, he and his team will be desperate to give him a good send-off.
Current Golden Boot holder Kylian Mbappe will be hoping to get the goals to beat Lionel Messi to be this years top scorer and become the first player to win the Golden Boot twice.
William Saliba (back) and Brice Samba (calf) will be missing for this game, with Deschamps likely to make several changes to the team that was beaten by Spain.
Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue are likely to start ahead of Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, while Ibrahima Konate and Warren Zaire-Emery could start in central midfield. Changes are also expected in defence.
Deschamps Believes No One Wants to Play This Game
Speaking ahead of the game and also his last in charge of the French national team, Didier Deschamps gave his thoughts on the World Cup third-place play-off. He said: “I have a duty for this game.
“It is not a friendly. It is a third-place playoff. The players, staff, and I have the duty to reach this last objective. It is less important than the final. England does not want to play this game, and neither do we. But here we are.
