The World Cup third-place match is a strange beast. Nobody trains their whole life to play in it. But once you’re here, you either show up or you let a bronze medal slip through your fingers. England and France are about to find out which side they’re on.
We’re minutes from kickoff in this 2026 edition, and both teams are running out lineups that look nothing like their semifinal squads. Thomas Tuchel has made major changes for England. Only Rice, Guehi, Rogers and Spence kept their spots after the loss to Argentina. That semifinal defeat stung, and the lineup reflects a manager trying to see what else he’s got.
France is doing the same thing. Didier Deschamps is only rolling with four holdovers from the Spain loss: Maignan, Rabiot, Olise and Mbappe. Everyone else is getting a look. It’s part audition, part damage control.
One player who won’t get that look? Man United’s Kobbie Mainoo. He’s out entirely, which is a tough break for fans hoping to see him close out the tournament on a high note. Arsenal supporters have a small consolation, though. Morgan Rogers, the Aston Villa midfielder, is reportedly heading to Chelsea for a staggering €137.5 million according to David Ornstein. That’s a lot of money for a guy starting a third-place match.
Mbappe enters this one tied with Lionel Messi at eight goals for the tournament. Messi plays in the final tomorrow, so Mbappe has one last chance to pull ahead. The Real Madrid star has been electric all summer, and you’d expect him to want that golden boot for himself.
Meanwhile, the French federation president confirmed the next manager will be announced later this month. Media reports keep pointing to one name: Zinedine Zidane. If that’s true, it’ll be the biggest coaching story in world football since he left the job the first time. Deschamps is finishing out this World Cup, but the future is already being written.
These two teams met in the World Cup before, and that history adds a little spice. But let’s be honest. Neither side wanted to be here. England thought they had a shot at the final. France probably did too, before Spain sent them packing. Third place is the game where you ask who wants it more, and the answer sometimes is nobody.
We’ll see who shows up. Kickoff is in about an hour. We’ll keep updating as things develop, so stick around.
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