This Saturday, France and England will face off at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium for the bronze medal in the 2026 World Cup. Both teams made it to the semifinals but fell just short of reaching the grand finale.
On Tuesday, the French team, known as the Bleus, suffered a 2-0 defeat against Spain in Arlington, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. Meanwhile, the Three Lions were edged out by Argentina 2-1 on Wednesday in Atlanta, with Lautaro Martínez scoring the decisive header in the 92nd minute off a Messi assist.
The match is slated for 5:00 PM Cuba time and marks the 33rd meeting between these two footballing nations, their fourth in World Cup history. Historically, England has the upper hand with 17 victories compared to France's 10, alongside five draws. However, recent encounters tell a different story.
Historical Context and Recent Performances
In their last nine clashes, England has managed only one victory, a 2-0 friendly win at Wembley in November 2015, credited to goals by Dele Alli and Wayne Rooney. The last time England defeated France in an official match was during the 1982 World Cup in Spain, winning 3-1 in the group stage. Bryan Robson scored twice, including the fastest goal in England's World Cup history at 27 seconds, and Paul Mariner added another.
Their most recent World Cup encounter was in the Qatar 2022 quarterfinals, where France triumphed 2-1 with goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Olivier Giroud. Harry Kane equalized with a penalty but missed a crucial second penalty that could have pushed the match into extra time.
Path to the Podium
France enters the bronze medal match with more experience in these scenarios, having contested four times, a record only surpassed by Germany with five appearances. The Bleus secured third place twice, defeating Germany in 1958 and Belgium in 1986, while their sole loss came against Poland in 1982. Notably, their victory over Belgium in 1986 remains the only third-place match in World Cup history to extend into extra time.
Conversely, England has lost both of its previous third-place matches: 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018. Another defeat would tie them with Uruguay for the most losses in third-place games, totaling three.
Golden Footrace and Final Aspirations
This match also plays a role in the race for the Golden Boot. Kylian Mbappé, with eight goals and three assists, aims to solidify his lead in the scoring charts ahead of Sunday's final between Spain and Argentina at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Despite the disappointment of missing the final, both teams have the chance to end their World Cup journey on a high note. For France, it means asserting their recent dominance over England; for the Three Lions, it offers an opportunity to break a four-decade streak of unfavorable outcomes in official matches.
Key Questions About the France vs. England Match
How many World Cup matches have France and England played against each other?
France and England have faced each other four times in World Cup history, including the upcoming 2026 bronze medal match.
What is England's record in third-place World Cup matches?
England has lost both of its previous third-place matches, against Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018.
Who are the top scorers for France and England in this World Cup?
For France, Kylian Mbappé is the top scorer with eight goals, while England's leading scorer hasn't been highlighted in the article.