France and England face off in the third-place final of the World Cup 2026 after falling short in the semi-finals. The match kicks off on Saturday, 18 July at 10 PM (BST), with both European powerhouses looking to conclude their tournament campaigns on a high note.
This clash is more than just a consolation match; it is a battle for bronze and national pride. Our prediction for France vs. England points towards an entertaining encounter, with the Golden Boot also still up for grabs for players on both sides.
Find out what our expert predictions are for today’s encounter.
Match Overview - France vs. England
- France plays in this third-place play-off after Spain ended their World Cup run in the semi-finals. Les Bleus aim to secure the bronze medal, finishing their campaign positively.
- England’s hopes for glory ended with a semi-final loss to Argentina. The Three Lions now seek their best World Cup finish since their 1966 triumph.
- France holds the historical edge, winning two of the last three encounters in the last 11 years, including a 2-1 quarter-final victory in the World Cup 2022.
Head-to-Head Record
- France shows formidable form, winning 16 of their last 21 matches.
- England has also been impressive, with 16 victories in their last 21 international fixtures.
- In this World Cup, France averaged 2.3 goals per game, scoring 16 goals in seven matches.
- England’s Three Lions averaged 2.0 goals per match, finding the net 14 times in seven games.
- France’s Kylian Mbappé is currently the joint top scorer with eight goals, alongside Lionel Messi.
- England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are his closest Golden Boot challengers, each with six goals.
France Team Analysis
France had a strong World Cup 2026 campaign, winning six matches before a 2-0 semi-final loss to Spain. Les Bleus scored 16 goals and conceded only four, showing good balance.
Kylian Mbappé leads the French attack with eight goals, making him a Golden Boot contender. Michael Olise provided five assists, and Ousmane Dembélé added five goals, highlighting their offensive power.
Despite missing the final, France maintains strong momentum. Yet, for this France vs England third-place final, Les Bleus won’t be able to count on Saliba and Samba, which is a notable handicap.
England Team Analysis
England’s World Cup run concluded with a 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina. Previously, the Three Lions won five, drew one, and lost one of seven games in the competition. They now seek their best tournament finish since 1966 by securing the bronze medal.
Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham drive England’s attack, each with six World Cup goals. Both remain Golden Boot contenders. Their clinical finishing is vital for the team to end positively.
England comes into this game in strong overall form, with 16 wins from their last 21 international matches. But, they have to play this match without Livramento, Henderson, and possibly without James. Anyhow, they will field a competitive side, eager to rebound.
France vs. England Prediction: Les Bleus to secure third place
France enters this match with a powerful attack, having scored 16 goals in the tournament, led by Golden Boot contender Kylian Mbappé. Considering this firepower, an open game with over 2.5 goals seems probable.
England also possesses significant offensive threats, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham both finding the net six times. With attacking talent on both sides, the chances of both teams to score look strong for this match.
While both teams are recovering from semi-final losses, France’s recent head-to-head advantage and slightly better tournament form give them an edge. Our main prediction is for France to win the match and secure third place.
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| Double Chance & Over/Under | Over 2.5 goals in total | |
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Both teams to score | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
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| Double Chance & Over/Under | Over 2.5 goals in total | |
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Both teams to score | |
Where to Watch France vs. England
For those wondering where to watch the France vs England match, you can do so here:
- TV: BBC One (Gbr), BBC RED Button (Gbr), (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr)
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC iPlayer app (Gbr), BBC Sport app
France vs. England Predicted Lineups
As the World Cup 2026 reaches its conclusion, both teams will be looking to end the tournament on a positive note. The predicted France lineup aims to secure a podium finish, while the England lineup will be set up to counter their opponents effectively. Expect both sides to seek the right balance in their formations, aiming for control of the game in this crucial third-place playoff.
France
Maignan; Gusto, T. Hernández, Konaté, L. Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Kanté, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram; Mbappé.
Manager: Didier Deschamps.
England
Pickford; Quansah, Konsah, Guehi, O’Reilly; Eze, Mainoo, Madueke, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
Manager: Thomas Tuchel.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: France vs. England
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 18/07/2026
- Kick-off: 10 PM (BST)
- Broadcast: BBC Sport (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC iPlayer app (Gbr), BBC RED Button (Gbr), BBC One (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr)
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