England faces France in World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday

BBC Football • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 16, 2026, 10:44 AM

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

England faces France in World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday

Summary

England will meet France in Saturday's World Cup third-place play-off at 22:00 BST after losing to Argentina in the semi-finals. This matchup provides both teams a chance to secure the Golden Boot for top goalscorer, as Kylian Mbappe aims to surpass Lionel Messi. England seeks to achieve their best World Cup finish since 1966 by winning this match, having lost previous third-place encounters in 1990 and 2018. Both teams may also experiment with lesser-used players, given the less pressured context of the playoff.

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BBC Football

Key Details

•Match kicks off on Saturday at 22:00 BST.
•England lost to Argentina in the semi-finals.
•Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi lead in Golden Boot race.
•England aims for best World Cup finish since 1966.
•Both teams may rest star players for the match.

Latest Updates

10:44 AMBBC Football — Why you should care about World Cup third-place play-off

What they're saying

"
It might feel like the last thing anyone wants right now - but here is why, actually, you do want to watch the World Cup's third-place play-off.
— BBC Football

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Soccer

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BBC FootballJul 16, 2026, 10:44 AM
Why you should care about World Cup third-place play-off
It might feel like the last thing anyone wants right now - but here is why, actually, you do want to watch the World Cup's third-place play-off.

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