France meet England for bronze in Miami
France plays for bronze on Saturday night in Miami. Your semifinal run ended painfully, but there is still a medal at stake, and England are the opponent.
France vs England: third place in Miami
Your team faces England in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday (1) (2). Kickoff in Miami. It is the final match of France's 2026 campaign, a shot at leaving with a medal rather than empty hands.
Tuchel: no regrets
Thomas Tuchel has drawn criticism for his decisions in England's semifinal exit to Argentina. His response: "I have no regrets" (2) (7). England now have to pick themselves up for the same consolation prize your team is chasing. Harry Kane and company will be there.
Deschamps on the brink of a record
Didier Deschamps is set for a record appearance as France manager in this match (4). What might have been a final instead becomes a bronze-medal game, but the milestone itself stands regardless.
Probable lineup: Mbappé leads the XI
Kylian Mbappé headlines the likely starting eleven for Saturday's match (4) (5). Sources expect a strong side from Deschamps, not a heavily rotated one. Full broadcast details are available closer to kickoff (4).
Saliba played through the pain
William Saliba has been playing through a pain barrier since March, Deschamps revealed. The Arsenal defender had injections until it became "unbearable" (1, Reddit). He started every match at this tournament.
France's history in third-place matches
This is not your team's first bronze-medal game. France played third-place playoffs in 1958, 1982, and 1986, winning two of those three (3). Just Fontaine scored four in the 1958 edition. Michel Platini featured in another.
PSG close in on Akliouche
Away from the World Cup, PSG are nearing a deal for AS Monaco midfielder Akliouche (6). The move is reportedly close to resolution.
Mbappé makes team of the semifinals
Dan Smith included Kylian Mbappé in his World Cup Team of the Semifinals, alongside Rodri, Unai Simón, and others from the final four nations (8).
Fan-reaktioner
The Saliba news has hit hardest. Arsenal fans on Reddit are absorbing the scale of what he played through, injections, pain since March, and still a full World Cup campaign. Cherki's reflections on the journey have also drawn attention, with many supporters appreciating his honesty ahead of a difficult third-place match. Join the discussion on r/Gunners
Sources
- 1. fussballnationalmannschaft.net — WM 2026 Video: Les Bleus verabschieden sich vor dem Spiel um Platz drei von Boston
- 2. theguardian.com — Tuchel defiant in face of criticism over decisions in England exit: ‘I have no regrets’
- 3. actu.fr — Coupe du monde 2026 : festival de buts de Fontaine, Michel Platini... les "petites finales" jouées par les Bleus
- 4. ole.com.ar — Francia vs. Inglaterra, por el tercer puesto del Mundial 2026: horario, por dónde ver y probables formaciones
- 5. rmcsport.bfmtv.com — France-Angleterre: la composition probable de l’équipe de France pour la petite finale de la Coupe du monde 2026
- 6. paristeam.fr — Mercato PSG : Akliouche se rapproche, le dénouement arrive
- 7. 101greatgoals.com — Tuchel calls for strong finish to England’s World Cup campaign
- 8. justarsenal.com — Dan the Scout Names His World Cup Team Of The Semi-finals – Who’s In Yours?