France and England confirm changed line-ups for the World Cup bronze match

France and England confirmed their starting line-ups for the 2026 World Cup third-place match in Miami. Both coaches changed the teams that began the semi-finals. Kylian Mbappe captains France, while Declan Rice leads England.

The team sheets were published before the scheduled 17:00 local kick-off on 18 July. France lost 2-0 to Spain in the first semi-final. England then lost 2-1 to Argentina after taking the lead. Third place and the bronze medals remain available in match 103 of the tournament.

Deschamps takes charge of France for the final time

Didier Deschamps has confirmed that the match will end his time as France coach. He has held the position for 14 years. His record includes the 2018 World Cup title and a second-place finish in 2022.

France also reached the European Championship final in 2016. Deschamps had previously won the World Cup as the national-team captain in 1998. The Miami match closes the coaching part of that long international career.

The fixture remains an official World Cup match rather than a farewell event. France will receive bronze medals if they win. A win brings bronze, while the losing side finishes fourth.

Spain ended France’s run in the semi-final

Spain defeated France 2-0 in their semi-final. France did not score and missed a place in a third consecutive World Cup final. The result followed their appearances in the 2018 and 2022 finals.

France had reached the knockout rounds after winning their group. Their route later included a 3-0 win over Sweden in the round of 32. Kylian Mbappe scored twice in that match and continued his strong individual tournament.

Mbappe enters the third-place match with eight goals. He is level with Lionel Messi before the final. The bronze match gives Mbappe one more appearance, while Messi plays for Argentina on Sunday.

England led Argentina before losing 2-1

England reached the semi-final after beating Norway 2-1 after extra time. Jude Bellingham scored both England goals in that quarter-final. The victory took England into their first World Cup semi-final since 2018.

Anthony Gordon then gave England the lead against Argentina. Argentina scored twice later in the match and won 2-1. England therefore missed their first men’s World Cup final since the 1966 title.

Harry Kane and Bellingham have six goals each at this tournament. Their totals place both England players behind Mbappe and Messi. The third-place fixture is their last opportunity to add to the 2026 tally.

The two teams have different bronze-match records

France have won the World Cup third-place match twice. They defeated West Germany in 1958 and Belgium in 1986. Their other World Cup medals include two titles and two second-place finishes.

England have played this fixture twice and lost both matches. Italy beat them in 1990, while Belgium won the 2018 meeting. England finished fourth at both tournaments.

The final weekend also raised questions about the remaining official tickets for Spain against Argentina.

The 2026 bronze match adds a separate result to that history. They describe the place each country already holds in the tournament record. Saturday will add a third bronze-match entry for England and another for France.

Miami hosts the last match before the final

The match takes place at Miami Stadium. Kick-off is listed for 17:00 Eastern Time, which is 21:00 UTC. France and England both played earlier knockout matches in the United States before returning for the final weekend.

The third-place match is the 103rd game of the expanded 48-team tournament. Spain and Argentina then play match 104 at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July. That final begins at 15:00 Eastern Time.

Bronze medals are presented after Saturday’s match. The winning team finishes third in the official standings. The losing team finishes fourth without a medal.

Both coaches make clear changes for the bronze match

France start with Mike Maignan in goal. Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix and Theo Hernandez form the defence. Warren Zaire-Emery and Adrien Rabiot play in midfield. Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue support captain Kylian Mbappe.

England name Dean Henderson as goalkeeper. Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah start in defence. Rice and Eberechi Eze are joined by Morgan Rogers. Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka complete the attacking group.

The selections leave several regular starters out of the first eleven. France still use Mbappe and Olise from the start. England retain Rice, Saka and Rogers while giving Henderson and Toney places in the team. The team sheets confirm all 22 starters before kick-off.

Thomas Tuchel described third place as the remaining target for England. John Stones also spoke before the match. Their comments followed the semi-final defeat rather than replacing its result.

France entered the same media period after losing to Spain. Deschamps confirmed the end of his coaching spell before the tournament’s final weekend. France had not announced Deschamps’ successor before kick-off.

Both teams remain in Miami until the fixture is completed. The medal position is decided over this one match. Extra time and penalties follow if the score remains level after regulation.

France start with Mbappe, Olise, Cherki and Doue in the attacking group. England answer with Toney, Rashford, Saka and Rogers, while Rice wears the captain’s armband. Those selections frame Deschamps’ final match in charge of France.