{"id":7939,"date":"2026-07-17T17:44:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T17:44:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/07\/17\/france-vs-england-world-cup-third-place-playoff-prediction-kickoff\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T17:44:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T17:44:52","slug":"france-vs-england-world-cup-third-place-playoff-prediction-kickoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/07\/17\/france-vs-england-world-cup-third-place-playoff-prediction-kickoff\/","title":{"rendered":"France vs England \u2013 World Cup third-place playoff: Prediction, kickoff"},"content":{"rendered":"<div aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\">\n<p><strong>Who<\/strong>: France vs England<br \/> <strong>What<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/fifa-world-cup-2026\">FIFA World Cup 2026<\/a> \u2013 third-place playoff<br \/> <strong>Where<\/strong>: Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida, the United States<br \/> <strong>When<\/strong>: Saturday at 5pm (21:00 GMT)<br \/> <strong>How to follow:<\/strong>\u00a0We will have all the build-up on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\">Al Jazeera Sport<\/a> from 18:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream.<\/p>\n<p>Still reeling from heartbreak, France and England face off in a World Cup match neither would have wanted \u2013 a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/16\/world-cup-why-is-there-a-third-place-playoff-between-france-and-england\">third-place playoff<\/a> offering little more than a figurative bronze medal.<\/p>\n<section>\n<h2>Recommended Stories <\/h2>\n<p><span>list of 3 items<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>list 1 of 3<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/16\/fifa-to-probe-argentinas-falklands-banner-display-at-world-cup-semifinal\">FIFA to probe Argentina\u2019s Falklands banner display at World Cup semifinal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 2 of 3<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/16\/epic-squared-scaloni-lauds-argentinas-back-to-back-world-cup-comebacks\">\u2018Epic squared\u2019: Scaloni lauds Argentina\u2019s back-to-back World Cup comebacks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span>list 3 of 3<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/17\/brazilian-football-legend-peles-world-cup-shirt-sells-for-4-9-million\">Brazilian football legend Pele\u2019s World Cup shirt sells for $4.9m<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>end of list<\/span><\/section>\n<p>Firm favourites to add a third World Cup title, in-form France were outclassed by stalwarts Spain in the semifinals, while England\u2019s agonising six-decade wait for a major trophy continued following a late, cruel defeat to Argentina.<\/p>\n<p>A day before the world tunes in to watch the all-important final, France and England will play one last time in North America, hoping to end their disappointing campaign on a positive note \u2013 if there is one.<\/p>\n<p>Al Jazeera tells you everything about the third-place playoff:<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"deschamps-bows-out-mbappe-s-silver-lining-is-golden-boot\">Deschamps bows out, Mbappe\u2019s silver lining is Golden Boot<\/h2>\n<p>There is not much to play for in a third-place playoff, and France, who have won two of their three third-place playoffs, know how unexciting the game can be.<\/p>\n<p>But Saturday\u2019s contest has a good reason for them to put up another fight \u2013 it marks coach Didier Deschamps\u2019 last game in charge of France.<\/p>\n<p>Deschamps \u2013 who lost his mother during the group stage \u2013 has been the France coach for 14 years, during which he led them to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2022 final and this year\u2019s semifinal.<\/p>\n<p>Under the 57-year-old, Les Bleus established themselves as one of the world\u2019s most consistent forces over the past decade, and a third-place finish could be the best way, in the current situation, to draw curtains on his esteemed career.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4779759\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4779759\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260714__2286113379__v1__HighRes__FranceVSpainSemiFinalFifaWorldCup2026-1784279197.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C534&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 14: Didier Deschamps, Head Coach of France, applauds fans after the 0-2 loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Shaun Botterill\/Getty Images\/AFP (Photo by Shaun Botterill \/ GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA \/ Getty Images via AFP)\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4779759\">Didier Deschamps will take charge of France for the last time when they face England in Saturday\u2019s third-place playoff\u00a0 [Shaun Botterill\/Getty Images\/AFP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Away from the managerial farewell, there could be more reasons to rejoice within the France camp. Captain and star striker Kylian Mbappe has the opportunity to take home the Golden Boot and match or break the tournament\u2019s all-time scoring record.<\/p>\n<p>Mbappe, the current Golden Boot holder, is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/sports\/2026\/7\/8\/fifa-world-cup-golden-boot-race-messi-leads-mbappe-haaland-before-quarterfinals\">second in this year\u2019s race<\/a> behind Lionel Messi, with both tied on eight goals, and the Argentinian\u2019s four assists keep him ahead of Mbappe, who has three. The Frenchman is also just one strike behind Messi in matching the record for the most World Cup goals (21).<\/p>\n<p>Should Mbappe beat Messi to the award, the 27-year-old would become the first player to win the Golden Boot twice.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-dreaded-game-nobody-wants-to-play\">The dreaded game nobody wants to play<\/h2>\n<p>Rarely do you see a World Cup team saying they are not looking forward to playing on the sport\u2019s biggest stage.<\/p>\n<p>But competing for a third-place finish in football is not quite like the podium result in track and field. It is a temporary, feel-good moment of a few minutes for most teams \u2013 especially those of the calibre of England and France.<\/p>\n<p>It leaves players feeling so close, yet so far.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNone of our players and none of the French players want to play this match,\u201d England coach Thomas Tuchel said after their loss to Argentina. \u201cThey want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but that\u2019s how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>France\u2019s Deschamps echoed the feeling, saying they have no choice but to show up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not where we wanted or expected to be. The disappointment matches our ambitions, but we have to accept it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4732599\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4732599\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2026-07-01T181658Z_1846036448_UP1EM711EB7ZN_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-ENG-COD-1783147121.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C508&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - England v DR Congo - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - July 1, 2026 England manager Thomas Tuchel celebrates after the match as England qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup REUTERS\/Claudia Greco TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4732599\">Thomas Tuchel has led England to the semifinals in his first major assignment in charge of the Three Lions [Claudia Greco\/Reuters]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"france-s-world-cup-2026-results\">France\u2019s World Cup 2026 results<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>France 3-1 Senegal (group stage)<\/li>\n<li>France 3-0 Iraq (group stage)<\/li>\n<li>Norway 1-4 France (group stage)<\/li>\n<li>France 3-0 Sweden (round of 32)<\/li>\n<li>Paraguay 0-1 France (round of 16)<\/li>\n<li>France 2-0 Morocco (quarterfinals)<\/li>\n<li>France 0-2 Spain (semifinals)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"england-s-world-cup-2026-results\">England\u2019s World Cup 2026 results<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>England 4-2 Croatia (group stage)<\/li>\n<li>England 0-0 Ghana (group stage)<\/li>\n<li>Panama 0-2 England (group stage)<\/li>\n<li>England 2-1 Democratic Republic of the Congo (round of 32)<\/li>\n<li>Mexico 2-3 England (round of 16)<\/li>\n<li>Norway 1-2 England (quarterfinals)<\/li>\n<li>England 1-2 Argentina (semifinals)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4779690\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4779690\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP__20260717__C2EK9KG__v1__HighRes__ComboFblWc2026Match103FraEng-1784277621.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C578&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"Kylian Mbappe (left) and Harry Kane will clash when France face England in the third-place playoff\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4779690\">Kylian Mbappe (left) and Harry Kane will clash when France face England in the third-place playoff [Buda Mendes and Darrian Traynor\/Getty Images via AFP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"england-vs-france-prediction\">England vs France prediction<\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0Opta supercomputer has picked France as favourites to secure third place, winning the game inside 90 minutes in 50.7 percent of 25,000 pre-match simulations.<\/p>\n<p>The next most likely result is an England win, at 25.6 percent, followed closely by a draw at 90 minutes, which has a 23.7 percent probability.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"england-vs-france-kickoff-time-where-to-watch\">England vs France: Kickoff time, where to watch<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>United Kingdom<\/strong>: Red Button 1, BBC iPlayer, BBC One (10pm, British Summer Time)<\/li>\n<li><strong>France<\/strong>: beIN Sports, M6, M6+ (11pm, Central European Summer Time)<\/li>\n<li><strong>US<\/strong>: Fox, Fox One, Peacock, Telemundo App and Network, Universo (5pm, Eastern Daylight Time)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To check the TV listings for your country, head to FIFA\u2019s TV listing schedule\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fifa.com\/en\/tournaments\/mens\/worldcup\/canadamexicousa2026\/scores-fixtures?country=&#038;wtw-filter=ALL\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"england-vs-france-head-to-head\">England vs France: Head-to-head<\/h2>\n<p>This is the fourth World Cup meeting between France and England \u2013 the Three Lions won the first two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982), but France won 2-1 in their most recent meeting in the 2022 quarterfinals.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, England have won just one of their last nine matches against France (D2 L6), winning 2-0 in a November 2015 friendly.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4761089\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4761089\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/afp_6a52ce74c613-1783811700.jpg?w=770&#038;resize=770%2C513&#038;quality=80\" alt=\"England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium in Miami on July 11, 2026.\" fetchpriority=\"low\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4761089\">England midfielder Jude Bellingham\u2019s heroics in the knockouts led the team to the semifinals [AFP]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"france-vs-england-team-news\">France vs England: Team news<\/h2>\n<p>William Saliba (back) and Brice Samba (calf) are unavailable for France, while England\u2019s Jordan Henderson (wrist) is injured and Reece James (muscle) is doubtful.<\/p>\n<p>With the title no longer in reach, both sides are expected to rotate heavily and offer game time to players who otherwise had fewer minutes, though Mbappe should start for France to have a shot at the Golden Boot.<\/p>\n<p>England\u2019s Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham, who have six goals each, could also play from the get-go and bid for the award one last time.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"france-s-predicted-lineup\">France\u2019s predicted lineup<\/h2>\n<p>(4-2-3-1): Maignan (goalkeeper); Gusto, Lacroix, Konate, T Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Kante; Olise, Cherki, Doue; Mbappe<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"england-s-predicted-lineup\">England\u2019s predicted lineup<\/h2>\n<p>(4-3-3): Henderson (goalkeeper); Chalobah, Guehi, Stones, Spence; Mainoo, Anderson, Rogers; Madueke, Kane, Rashford<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who: France vs England What:\u00a0FIFA World Cup 2026 \u2013 third-place playoff Where: Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida, the United States When: Saturday at 5pm (21:00 GMT) How to follow:\u00a0We will have all the build-up on\u00a0Al Jazeera Sport from 18:00 GMT before our live text commentary stream. Still reeling from heartbreak, France and England face off &#8230; <a title=\"France vs England \u2013 World Cup third-place playoff: Prediction, kickoff\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/2026\/07\/17\/france-vs-england-world-cup-third-place-playoff-prediction-kickoff\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about France vs England \u2013 World Cup third-place playoff: Prediction, kickoff\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7939\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pronews.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}