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France vs England World Cup 2026 preview, team news and prediction

[ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Thomas Tuchel, head coach of England, instructs players during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images)]

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England prepare to end their World Cup campaign against France(Image: VCG, VCG via Getty Images)

Playing for a prize no one really wants until the opening whistle, France and England go head-to-head again in Saturdays World Cup 2026 third-place (or bronze final) play-off. Frances status as pre-tournament favourites were shredded by Spain in Tuesdays 2-0 semi-final loss, before England came up short in a deserved 2-1 defeat to reigning champions Argentina in Atlanta.

Les Bleus go into this match, however, as the firm favourites going into this at 10/11 with Ladbrokes while the Three Lions are 29/10 with SpreadEx and a draw is 11/4 with Sky Bet. You can also find more betting offers at the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers.

For Didier Deschamps, the Spain game was a fork in the road: prove his pre-match judgement right, or reach another World Cup final. Painfully for the outgoing 57-year-old, it was the former. Deschamps had publicly talked up Spain as the favourites, a view echoed by many World Cup betting markets, and Luis de la Fuentes side delivered again, drawing on recent big-game successes over France at Euro 2024 and in the 2024-25 Nations League.

Mikel Oyarzabals perfectly placed penalty and a superb Pedro Porro strike sealed Spains place in Sundays final against Argentina. France, once so feared going forward, were held at the Dallas Stadium as Spains defence won the much-hyped battle with Deschamps attack a night that also saw Deschamps set a new record for most World Cup matches managed. Even so, the prevailing verdict was that he got it badly wrong, with Kylian Mbapp among those to question the approach afterwards.

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Now, in the match he never planned to be coaching, Deschamps will try to guide Les Bleus to a third World Cup bronze medal, from what is their fourth third-place play-off and their first since 1986. France beat Belgium 4-2 to take third that year, and famously hammered West Germany 6-3 in 1958, when Just Fontaine scored four. They finished fourth in 1982, losing the play-off to Poland.

England, meanwhile, left their own semi-final surrounded by criticism. Thomas Tuchel became the lightning rod on Wednesday as pre-match optimism among fans evaporated. The Three Lions initially refused to be drawn into Argentinas pressing and edge, exploiting space out wide to go ahead through Anthony Gordon only to retreat into a try to break us down stance that proved fatal against Lionel Messi and company.

Messi duly accepted the invitation, producing two assists for Enzo Fernndez and Lautaro Martnez in a stirring comeback that kept Argentina on course for back-to-back titles and sparked another post-mortem into another major-tournament disappointment for England.

There is, at least, a sliver of upside: Tuchel can still deliver Englands second-best mens World Cup finish. But Englands previous third-place play-off appearances ended in defeat 2-0 to Belgium in 2018 and 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and a bronze medal will feel like scant consolation for a bruised squad and fanbase.

France vs England Prediction

• France to win and both teams to score - 2/1 (Sky Bet)
• Over 2.5 goals - 4/9 (William Hill)
• Ousmane Dembele to score anytime - 9/5 (Ladbrokes)

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France vs England Team News

France are still waiting on an official update on William Saliba but reports state he will be out for up to five months, meaning Maxence Lacroix is likely to start after replacing him in Arlington. Didier Deschamps previously picked Lacroix ahead of Ibrahima Konat, citing Konats form and lack of experience on the left side of centre-back, and Lacroix could now even come in for Dayot Upamecano as France make minor changes.

Backup goalkeeper Brice Samba also missed training, though no change is expected in goal.

England have their own defensive concern after Reece James limped off against Argentina with a suspected muscle injury. Jarell Quansah is available again after serving his ban, while Djed Spence could switch flanks to allow Nico OReilly back in at left-back. Jordan Henderson remains out with a wrist issue, and theres also a watch on Jude Bellingham after footage appeared to show him striking the back of Valentin Barcos head post-match.

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