Viewing guide for the England vs France 2026 FIFA World Cup Third-Place match

France and England Prepare for Bronze Match

While France and England didn’t make it to the World Cup finals, there’s still a game to be played. These two powerhouse teams will face off for the bronze medal at Miami Stadium this Saturday at 5 PM Eastern time, and you can catch the action on FOX.

France faced Spain in the semifinals but unfortunately lost 2-0, marking their third straight time missing the finals. They had shown impressive strength in earlier matches until that semifinal setback.

Of the six matches France won prior to the semifinals, only one was by a single goal, showcasing their dominance, especially in the earlier rounds where they only conceded four goals across seven matches.

The turning point in the semifinal came when Spain converted a penalty in the 22nd minute after French defender Lucas Digne miscalculated a challenge, resulting in a foul. Mikel Oyarzabal took the penalty, putting Spain ahead.

Later, in the 58th minute, Pedro Polo doubled Spain’s lead, getting past the French defense with a well-placed pass from Dani Olmo, leaving French goalkeeper Mike Maignan with no chance.

After their loss, France tried hard to make a comeback, but Spain’s defense was too tight, showcasing their sixth shutout of the tournament. Now, they look ahead to the bronze match against England.

Meanwhile, England entered their semifinal against Argentina leading 1-0, thanks to a stunning goal from Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute. However, the momentum shifted after that, as Argentina pressed hard for an equalizer.

Argentina finally broke through with just minutes to spare when Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernandes, who scored to make it 1-1. Then, in stoppage time, Lautaro Martínez became the hero with a winning goal, sending Argentina fans into jubilation and ending England’s hopes for the trophy.

Now, England has a chance to secure bronze against France. This match is crucial for both teams, each eager to leave the tournament with some hardware.