With just two matches remaining in the 2026 World Cup, France and England are set to face off for third place, while Spain will contend with Argentina for the championship title.
Although the matchup carries a modest prize of $2 million and a bronze medal, the competition for the Golden Boot remains intense. Kylian Mbappé of France could potentially add to his tally as he currently shares the top scorer spot with Lionel Messi, who plays on Sunday.
France, initially favorites to clinch the title, seemed on track for the semi-finals after letting in only two goals. However, they were unable to withstand the challenge posed by Spain, the reigning European champions, who defeated them 2-0 to secure their place in the final.
Meanwhile, England faced Argentina in their semi-final, a classic World Cup rivalry. The Three Lions held a narrow 1-0 lead until the 85th minute, only for the defending champions to rally back with two quick goals, sealing a 2-1 victory.
Here’s a quick rundown on the France vs. England match:
- What: 2026 FIFA World Cup 3rd place match
- When: July 18, 5 PM Eastern Time
- Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
- Channel: FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
- Streaming: Available on DIRECTV with a free trial
A few details about watching the match: it’s set to start at 5 PM ET today. If you’re looking to catch it without cable, there are ways to stream it for free. Personally, I find DIRECTV’s 5-day free trial to be a solid option, especially since it covers more than 125 channels, including FOX and Telemundo.
France vs England Match Start Time
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5 PM Eastern Time today, July 18.
Ways to Watch for Free
If you don’t have cable or an antenna, consider a live TV streaming service to watch the 3rd place match for free. DIRECTV, which I personally recommend, offers a 5-day free trial and covers the necessary channels.
France World Cup Results
| Opponent | Result |
|---|---|
| Senegal (Group I) | France 3 – Senegal 1 |
| Iraq (Group I) | France 3 – Iraq 0 |
| Norway (Group I) | France 4 – Norway 1 |
| Sweden (Round of 32) | France 3 – Sweden 0 |
| Paraguay (Round of 16) | France 1 – Paraguay 0 |
| Morocco (Quarterfinals) | France 2 – Morocco 0 |
| Spain (Semi-finals) | Spain 2 – France 0 |
England World Cup Results
| Opponent | Result |
|---|---|
| Croatia (Group L) | England 4 – Croatia 2 |
| Ghana (Group L) | 0-0 Draw |
| Panama (Group L) | England 2 – Panama 0 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo (Round of 32) | England 2 – Democratic Republic of the Congo 1 |
| Mexico (Round of 16) | England 3 – Mexico 2 |
| Norway (Quarterfinals) | England 2 – Norway 1 |
| Argentina (Semi-finals) | Argentina 2 – England 1 |
France World Cup Squad
Goalkeeper:
- Blythe Samba
- Mike Maignan
- Robin Risser
Defender:
- Malo Gusto
- Lucas Digne
- Dayo Upamecano
- Jules Koundé
- Ibrahima Konaté
- William Saliba
- Theo Hernandez
- Lucas Hernandez
- Maxence Lacroix
Midfielder:
- Manu Kone
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Michael Orise
- N’Golo Kanté
- Adrien Rabiot
- Warren Zaire-Emery
- Rayan Cherki
- Magnes Acriosh
Forward:
- Ousmane Dembélé
- Marcus Thuram
- Kylian Mbappé (Captain)
- Bradley Barcola
- Desiree Duet
- Jean-Philippe Mateta
England World Cup Squad
Goalkeeper:
- Jordan Pickford
- Dean Henderson
- James Trafford
Defender:
- Ezri Konsa
- Nico O’Reilly
- John Stones
- Marc Guéhi
- Tino Livramento
- Dan Byrne
- Reece James
- Jed Spence
- Jarrell Quansah
Midfielder:
- Declan Rice
- Elliot Anderson
- Jude Bellingham
- Jordan Henderson
- Coby Mainu
- Morgan Rogers
- Eberechi Eze
Forward:
- Bukayo Saka
- Harry Kane (Captain)
- Marcus Rashford
- Anthony Gordon
- Ollie Watkins
- Noni Madueke
- Ivan Toney
