France vs England Prediction Betting Tips & Preview

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France vs England prediction for Saturday 18 July 2026 World Cup third-place play-off, with kick-off at 10pm BST at Miami Stadium.

Both teams arrived at this World Cup expecting to challenge for the trophy, yet one of them will now finish with the consolation of a bronze medal. England are trying to recover after Argentina scored twice late on to deny them a first final since 1966. France, World Cup winners in 2018 and finalists again in 2022, must lift themselves after Spain outplayed them in a 2-0 semi-final defeat. It is not the match either side wanted, but once that whistle goes, you can be sure neither team will fancy ending the tournament with another loss.

Match Details

Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Third-Place Play-Off

Date: Saturday 18 July 2026

Kick-off Time: 10pm BST

Venue: Miami Stadium

France Manager: Didier Deschamps

England Manager: Thomas Tuchel

France vs England Team News

France may use the third-place game as an opportunity to freshen up their starting side after a disappointing performance against Spain.

Les Bleus struggled to create clear chances in their semi-final and fell behind when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first-half penalty. Pedro Porro added Spain’s second after the break, leaving France chasing a game that never really opened up for them.

Kylian Mbappé remains the main attraction. The Real Madrid forward has enjoyed another strong World Cup and should be eager to finish with a goal as he continues his push for the Golden Boot. He remains France’s first-choice penalty taker and will also take many of their direct free kicks around the box.

Ousmane Dembélé could keep his place on the right, although Didier Deschamps may hand opportunities to players who have spent more time on the bench. Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki and Désiré Doué are all options if France want more energy in attack.

The suggested French midfield of N’Golo Kanté, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Khéphren Thuram would give Deschamps a fresh and athletic trio. Kanté brings experience and defensive awareness, while Paris Saint-Germain youngster Zaïre-Emery can carry the ball through midfield. Thuram offers power and should help France compete against England’s physical midfield.

William Saliba could remain at centre-back, potentially alongside Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté. Jules Koundé and Theo Hernández would offer plenty of attacking intent from the full-back positions.

England have to recover quickly from one of the most painful defeats in their recent history.

Anthony Gordon gave the Three Lions the lead against Argentina when he finished Morgan Rogers’ cross at the back post. England looked on course to reach the final until Enzo Fernández equalised from distance in the 85th minute. Lautaro Martínez then headed home Lionel Messi’s cross in stoppage time to complete the turnaround.

Thomas Tuchel faced criticism for switching to a back five and allowing England to become too passive after taking the lead. That disappointment may influence his approach in Miami. This is a chance to finish positively, so you would expect England to play with more freedom rather than trying to protect the result.

Tuchel could make several changes after a demanding run of knockout matches. Players such as Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Noni Madueke may come into the side.

Harry Kane remains England’s first-choice penalty taker if he starts. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka usually share corners and free-kick duties, although Eze may also be trusted with direct set pieces if he is included.

Likely Lineups

France probable XI (4-3-3)

GK: Mike Maignan

DF: Jules Koundé, Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba, Theo Hernández

MF: N’Golo Kanté, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Khéphren Thuram

FW: Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola

Deschamps has plenty of room to rotate. Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki could all feature either from the start or from the bench.

England probable XI (4-2-3-1)

GK: Dean Henderson

DF: Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly

MF: Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice

AM: Noni Madueke, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze

FW: Ollie Watkins

Tuchel may still retain a few senior players, but this feels like the right opportunity to reward those who have waited patiently during the tournament. Kane, Bellingham, Saka and Gordon would remain powerful options from the bench if England need them.

France vs England

France and England have both become regulars in the latter stages of major tournaments.

France won the World Cup in 1998 and 2018 before reaching another final in Qatar four years ago. They were trying to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, but Spain ended that dream with a controlled performance in Dallas.

England’s wait for another global title continues. The Three Lions reached the semi-finals in 2018 and have now repeated that achievement under Tuchel, but the manner of the defeat to Argentina will sting for a long time.

Leading with five minutes remaining should have been enough. Instead, England retreated, lost control and allowed Messi to influence the closing stages. That makes this match as much about the response as the result.

Third-place play-offs often feel more open than other knockout matches. The pressure of chasing the trophy has gone, managers tend to rotate and players have more freedom to attack. That could suit both sides.

France have pace everywhere. Mbappé, Barcola and Dembélé can punish England if the game becomes stretched. England have their own threats through Watkins, Madueke and Rogers, all of whom should be motivated to make the most of any starting opportunity.

The midfield could decide how open this becomes. Kanté may sit deeper for France, allowing Thuram and Zaïre-Emery to push forward. England will need Rice or Mainoo to prevent Mbappé from receiving the ball in space between midfield and defence.

There is also recent history between the teams. France knocked England out of the 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 quarter-final victory, a match remembered for Kane missing a late penalty. England now have a chance to earn a little revenge, even if the prize is not the one they wanted.

France vs England Betting Tips

Rotation makes this a difficult game to judge, but it could also create more attacking opportunities.

Both teams have plenty of depth in forward areas, and neither manager has much reason to set up cautiously. That points towards chances at both ends.

France still carry the greater individual threat through Mbappé, especially if England rotate their defence. England should also create opportunities against a French side that looked tired and flat against Spain.

Anyone looking across the final weekend of the competition can also check our latest footy tips before settling on their selections.

France vs England Match Prediction

This comes down to which team recovers better.

England’s semi-final loss was especially brutal because they were minutes away from reaching the final. France never had the same grip on their match against Spain, but they may find it easier to reset after being clearly beaten.

Changes are likely on both sides, which should make the contest less structured. England’s younger attackers have a chance to make an impression, but France may still have Mbappé leading the line and chasing another goal.

That could be the difference. England should score, but France have slightly more pace and individual quality in attack.

Match Prediction: France to win. Bet with bet365.

France vs England Correct Score Tips

The third-place play-off has the potential to be more open than either semi-final.

The scorelines that stand out are:

• 2-1 France
• 2-2 draw
• 3-2 France

England should create chances if players such as Rogers, Eze and Watkins start, but France’s speed in transition may cause serious problems.

Correct Score Prediction: France 2-1 England. Bet with bet365.

France vs England Over & Under Goals Betting Tips

Both teams may play with more freedom now that the pressure of reaching the final has passed.

• Over 1.5 goals looks like a sensible starting point.
• Over 2.5 goals is also worth considering because rotation could lead to a less settled defensive shape on both sides.
• Under 4.5 goals provides another route if you expect an entertaining game without it becoming completely chaotic.

Over/Under Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.

France vs England Bet Builder Tip

If you are putting together a bet builder for the third-place play-off, consider:

• Both teams to score
• Over 2.5 goals
• Kylian Mbappé anytime scorer

The contest should be fairly open, while Mbappé remains the standout scoring threat even if France make several changes around him.

Bet Builder Tip: Both teams to score, over 2.5 goals, and Kylian Mbappé to score anytime. Bet with bet365.

Key Stats

• England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals.

• Anthony Gordon scored England’s goal against Argentina.

• England led until the 85th minute before conceding twice late on.

• France lost 2-0 to Spain in their semi-final.

• France were aiming to reach a third consecutive World Cup final.

• England also played in the third-place match at the 2018 World Cup.

• France beat England 2-1 when the teams met in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

• England have reached at least the semi-finals in four major tournaments since 2018.

• France won the World Cup in 1998 and 2018.

•  

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Who will win between France and England?

France look slightly more likely to win because of their attacking depth and the threat posed by Kylian Mbappé, although both managers may rotate their teams.

What time is the France vs England match?

France vs England kicks off at 10pm BST on Saturday 18 July 2026.

Where is France vs England being played?

The World Cup third-place play-off will take place at Miami Stadium.

How did England reach the third-place play-off?