England and France Name Lineups for World Cup 2026 Third-Place Play-Off as Deschamps Prepares for Farewell
The Three Lions seek a historic high finish in Miami while Didier Deschamps takes charge of Les Bleus for the final time.
European giants England and France have unveiled their starting lineups for Saturday’s World Cup 2026 third-place play-off in Miami, a match that marks the end of an era for French football and offers the Three Lions a chance at their best tournament finish in six decades.
The fixture serves as the swansong for legendary France manager Didier Deschamps, who will take charge of Les Bleus for the 187th and final time. Deschamps, who had hoped to guide the pre-tournament favorites to another global title, saw his aspirations of becoming a two-time World Cup-winning manager cut short in a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain on Tuesday. Over his historic tenure, Deschamps has amassed 121 victories—more than any other head coach in French history—alongside 35 draws and 30 defeats.
England, meanwhile, enter the consolation match recovering from their own late heartbreak. The Three Lions were just minutes away from the final on Wednesday, leading holders Argentina in the 84th minute courtesy of an Anthony Gordon strike, before ultimately succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. Argentina will face Spain in the final in New Jersey on Sunday.
For England, securing third place would represent their highest World Cup finish since lifting their sole trophy on home soil in 1966. The team has previously contested two third-place play-offs, losing both—a 2-1 defeat to hosts Italy in 1990 and a 2-0 loss to Belgium in 2018.
To achieve this milestone, England must overcome a historically poor recent record against their cross-Channel rivals. The Three Lions have won just one of their last nine encounters with France (drawing two and losing six), with their last victory coming in a November 2015 friendly. While England won the first two World Cup meetings between the nations (2-0 in 1966 and 3-1 in 1982), France won their most recent tournament clash 2-1 in the 2022 quarter-finals and remain unbeaten in their last four competitive meetings.
Team News and Lineups
Both squads have rotated their selections for the Miami clash, though immense star power remains on display.
England’s starting lineup features Dean Henderson in goal, supported by a defense of Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence, and Jarell Quansah. In midfield, Declan Rice is joined by Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze, while Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford flank striker Ivan Toney.
Regular captain Harry Kane starts on the bench alongside Wednesday’s goalscorer Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham, and veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson. Kane, who has 14 career World Cup goals, remains tied with Germany’s Gerd Muller as the joint-fifth highest scorer in tournament history, sitting just one goal behind Brazil’s Ronaldo Nazario.
England substitutes: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke.
France manager Deschamps has named a strong starting XI, led by talisman Kylian Mbappe, who starts alongside Michael Olise and Desire Doue in attack. The midfield consists of Adrien Rabiot, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Rayan Cherki. In defense, Mike Maignan starts in goal behind Malo Gusto, Ibrahim Konate, Theo Hernandez, and Maxence Lacroix.
Mbappe enters the match with 20 career World Cup goals, making him the second-highest scorer in the tournament’s history, trailing only Argentina’s Lionel Messi by a single goal.
France substitutes: Brice Samba, Robin Risser, Lucas Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Lucas Hernandez, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, N’Golo Kante, Maghnes Akliouche, Ousmane Dembele, Marcus Thuram, Bradley Barcola, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Historical Context of the Consolation Final
Historically, the World Cup third-place play-off has been a high-scoring, decisive affair. Every single third-place play-off in World Cup history has been settled in normal time without a penalty shootout. Only France’s 4-2 victory over Belgium in 1986 required extra time.
This match marks France’s fourth appearance in the third-place play-off, a tournament tally surpassed only by Germany’s five. Les Bleus previously defeated Germany 6-3 in 1958 and Belgium in 1986, but suffered a 3-2 defeat to Poland in 1982.
How to Watch
The match is scheduled to kick off on Saturday at 22:00 BST (17:00 ET / 14:00 PT).
In the United Kingdom, live television coverage will be broadcast on BBC One. Viewers can also stream the match live across a wide range of devices via the BBC iPlayer app and the BBC Sport website.
