France vs England LIVE: World Cup 2026 Third-Place Play-Off Score, Lineups & Updates
CS Sports brings you minute-by-minute coverage as France and England meet at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, to fight for World Cup bronze. Follow the live score, confirmed lineups, match stats, commentary and our score prediction — updated throughout the game.
France
England
Match Preview: France vs England
Neither side made it to the final they wanted, but a World Cup bronze medal — and a healthy prize-money bump — is still on the line when France meet England in the 2026 third-place play-off at Hard Rock Stadium. Didier Deschamps' France were beaten by Spain in the semi-final, while Thomas Tuchel's England fell to Lionel Messi's Argentina after a dramatic late collapse. Both nations now have one final chance to end the tournament on a high in front of a Miami crowd.
The individual battles add extra spice. Club team-mates Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham will go head-to-head just weeks after playing alongside one another, while Mbappé is also chasing the Golden Boot — he's currently tied at the top of the scoring charts and will want every chance to add to his tally against an England defence that has otherwise impressed in North America.
For England, it's a chance to show the growth under Tuchel wasn't a false dawn, with Harry Kane leading the line and looking to add to his own strong tournament return. Expect a game with far fewer defensive inhibitions than a semi-final — third-place matches are traditionally open, and with pride, bronze medals and bragging rights at stake, both managers are expected to set up on the front foot.
Predicted Starting XI & Substitutes
Lineups below are CS Sports' pre-match projections based on the squads used through the tournament. Official confirmed lineups will replace these approximately one hour before kick-off — check back for the update.
🇫🇷 France — Predicted XI
- 1 Goalkeeper
- 2 Right-back
- 4 Centre-back
- 5 Centre-back
- 3 Left-back
- 6 Defensive midfielder
- 8 Central midfielder
- 7 Attacking midfielder
- 11 Right winger
- 9 Striker
- 10 Kylian Mbappé (Left winger / forward)
🏴 England — Predicted XI
- 1 Goalkeeper
- 2 Right-back
- 5 Centre-back
- 6 Centre-back
- 3 Left-back
- 4 Defensive midfielder
- 8 Central midfielder
- 7 Right attacking midfielder
- 10 Jude Bellingham (Attacking midfielder)
- 11 Left attacking midfielder
- 9 Harry Kane (Striker)
Head-to-Head Statistics
France and England are old international rivals, having met on more than 30 previous occasions dating back to 1923, including a knockout meeting earlier in this tournament cycle. Recent history has generally favoured France, though England have shown they can compete with — and beat — Les Bleus on their day.
- All-time meetings: 30+ matches across friendlies and major tournaments
- Recent trend: France unbeaten in their last two meetings with England
- This tournament: Both sides eliminated at the semi-final stage — France by Spain, England by Argentina
- Golden Boot race: Mbappé (FRA) level at the top of the standings; Kane and Bellingham (ENG) both in the mix
Match Timeline
Live Commentary
Our editorial team will post minute-by-minute text updates here once the match kicks off. Refresh the page periodically for the latest entries.
Match Stats
Full statistical breakdown — possession, shots, shots on target, corners and cards — will populate here once the match is underway.
CS Sports Prediction
Third-place play-offs are notoriously hard to call — both squads are dealing with the disappointment of missing the final, and team selection can be unpredictable. On balance, France's individual quality in the final third gives them a slight edge, but expect goals at both ends given how open these games tend to be.
This is an editorial prediction for entertainment purposes only and not betting advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What time does France vs England kick off?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place play-off kicks off at 5:00 PM ET (10:00 PM UK time) on Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Where is France vs England being played?
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida — capacity 64,478 — which also hosted the 2024 Copa América and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
What's at stake in this match?
Third place, prize money, and bragging rights — plus Kylian Mbappé has a chance to boost his position in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot.
How can I watch France vs England live?
Use the 🔴 Live Streaming Now button above for verified streaming links, or follow this page for continuously updated live text commentary from CS Sports.
Who has the head-to-head advantage between France and England?
The two sides have met more than 30 times across their history, with France holding a narrow edge in recent meetings — see the Head-to-Head Statistics section above for the full breakdown.
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