France vs England, 3rd place preview: The heavyweight fight nobody wanted
Nobody starts the World Cup with the dream of playing for third place. Certainly not France and England. Both managers spoke of the suffering of their players after painful semi-final defeats, with the disappointment of missing out on the final still lingering.
However, there is still a lot at stake. Apart from consolation, the game offers some compelling stories, from Didier Deschamps’ emotional farewell to Thomas Tuchel’s chance to answer his critics. Throw in the uncertainty surrounding Kylian Mbappe and the possibility of N’Golo Kante making his last World Cup appearance, and it’s a game that deserves far more attention than the usual third-place play-off.
France will face England in a third-place play-off at the FIFA World Cup in Miami. The match will start on Sunday, July 19 at 2:30 AM (Indian Time). The telecast will air on Unite8 Sports. The Zee5 app and website will offer live streaming.
FINAL FAREWELL
Whatever happens against England, Saturday marks the end of one of the key managerial reins in international football. Didier Deschamps will take charge of France for the last time, bringing the curtain down on a remarkable 15-year spell as head coach and a 25-year association with Les Bleus as both player and manager.
Before the match, Deschamps admitted that the national team was “the biggest thing” that happened in his professional lifehe called it the chapter that left an unforgettable mark on him.
The third-place play-off may not have been the farewell he envisioned, but Deschamps has made it clear that wearing the French jersey comes with a responsibility, regardless of the occasion. Didier Deschamps will take charge of his final match as France manager. (Image: Reuters)
“It’s better to finish third than fourth,” he said, insisting he and his players still owe a performance to the millions of fans at home.
The 57-year-old leaves behind a legacy that includes triumph in the World Cup 2018, the 2021 Nations League title and another World Cup final appearance in 2022. Few managers have shaped an international side with such consistency, so his final performance on the line is one of the defining stories of this fixture.
END OF AN ERA?
If this is Didier Deschamps’ last game, it could also spell the end of N’Golo Kante’s World Cup journey with France.
The experienced midfielder returned to the national team for the tournament after an impressive revival in Saudi Arabia that helped earn him a return to Europe with Fenerbahce. This helped him get back into the World Cu team. Still, Didier Deschamps didn’t give him a single minute at this World Cup for some reason. This could be N’golo Kante’s last game for France. (Image: Reuters)
With a new coach expected to take over after the World Cup and a younger generation pushing for opportunities, this match could be Kante’s last appearance on the biggest international stage. France already has a wealth of options in midfield and the transition to the next cycle seems inevitable.
If it really is the end, Kante leaves as one of the country’s modern greats, a World Cup winner whose humility matched his brilliance. Few players have been so universally admired by team-mates, opponents and supporters alike, so his potential farewell is almost as emotional as Deschamps’ own.
THE MBAPPE MYSTERY
Kylian Mbappe’s availability has emerged as another major talking point ahead of France’s final appearance at the tournament.
Deschamps remained tight-lipped about his captain’s availability for the match, while acknowledging the Real Madrid striker’s bid for the Golden Boot. He stressed that Mbappe did not need any extra motivation and said that a player of his stature always wanted to compete and help the team.
Whether Mbappe starts or is rested, his presence looms large over this fixture.
France’s attack looked during her semi-final defeat to Spain, with the captain unable to produce the decisive moments that have defined so much of his international career. Kylian Mbappe could be tempted to play this game to secure the Golden Boot. (Image: Reuters)
Should he start against England, he will have the chance to finish the tournament on a high and hopefully strengthen his claim to the coveted Golden Boot. If they don’t, the focus will shift to France’s supporting cast to prove that Les Bleus can thrive without one standout talent.
TUCHEL’S TEST
If Deschamps is saying goodbye, Thomas Tuchel is just getting started.
The England manager faced criticism following his side’s semi-final collapse against Argentina, with several former internationals questioning both his tactics and game management. Tuchel repeatedly reminded everyone that he only had a short period to work with this squad, but another defeat would inevitably raise more questions heading into the next international cycle.
The third-place play-off offers an opportunity to show progress rather than just salvaging pride. Thomas Tuchel at England training before the match against France. (Image: Reuters)
England produced encouraging spells throughout the tournament but struggled to maintain control over elite opposition. Facing France is another opportunity to show that we have learned from them defeat to Argentina.
A composed performance would not erase the disappointment of the finals failure, but it could restore confidence in Tuchel’s long-term project. With expectations around England as high as ever, every performance counts, even in a game few imagined they would be playing.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
Jul 18, 2026 11:31 am IST