The French team entered the World Cup 2026 third-place match with the determination to win a medal after stopping in the semi-finals. The 2018 champion and 2022 runner-up had an impressive journey at the tournament before falling to Spain.
Didier Deschamps' team topped Group I with 3 wins against Senegal, Iraq and Norway. In the knockout round, Les Bleus successively defeated Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco to reach the semi-finals, before losing to Spain.
In the third-place match against England, Deschamps is likely to make some personnel adjustments. Center-back William Saliba is absent due to injury, opening up opportunities for young players such as Rayan Cherki, Warren Zaire-Emery, Manu Kone and Desire Doue to start.
In attack, Kylian Mbappe is still guaranteed to keep a spot in the starting lineup as the French national team captain is competing for the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot title.
On the other side, the "Three Lions" topped Group L after successively overcoming Croatia, Panama and drawing with Ghana. Entering the knockout round, England defeated DRC 2-1, Mexico 3-2 and Norway 2-1 to win a ticket to the semi-finals. However, their journey ended after a defeat to Argentina.
In the final match at the 2026 World Cup, Thomas Tuchel is expected to make some changes in the starting lineup.
Reece James and Declan Rice are still having physical problems, so they are unlikely to risk playing. Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah returned after a 2-match suspension, and Kobbie Mainoo is expected to make his debut at the World Cup.
In addition, Eberechi Eze and Marcus Rashford may also be given the opportunity to start. With Jordan Pickford, John Stones and Harry Kane - players who will turn 36 in 2030 - this is likely to be the last time they participate in a World Cup.
Expected lineup:
France squad: Mike Maignan, Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Theo Hernandez, Aurelien Tchouameni, Manu Kone, Warren Zaire-Emery, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, Kylian Mbappe.
England: Jordan Pickford, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Djed Spence, Kobbie Mainoo, Elliott Anderson, Eberechi Eze, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane.
