France and England meet in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET from Miami Stadium.

France won all six of its matches before the semifinal loss to Spain, outscoring opponents by a combined 16-2. Kylian Mbappé led the way with eight goals, tied with Argentina’s Lionel Messi for the tournament lead, and added three assists. Michael Olise chipped in a tournament-high five assists of his own.

England went 5-1-0 before its own semifinal exit against Argentina. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham each scored six goals and added an assist, and each recorded two braces along the way. Kane scored twice against Croatia on June 17 and again against DR Congo on July 1. Bellingham did the same against Mexico on July 5 and against Norway on July 11.

The third-place match has been part of the World Cup since 1934, the second-ever men’s tournament, except for 1950. Croatia beat Morocco, 2-1, in the last third-place game, back in 2022.

Below are the details on how to watch.

How to Watch France vs. England

France vs. England Preview

France’s transition defense against Jude Bellingham’s late runs is the key battle.

France still looks most dangerous when games open up.  Kylian Mbappé has 8 of France’s 16 goals in this World Cup, which means England cannot afford sloppy turnovers or broken midfield spacing when France breaks forward. The real pressure point is what happens just behind that first wave, because Bellingham has matched England’s team record with 6 non-penalty goals and keeps arriving into scoring spots after the initial action starts.

England are built to create those second-phase moments. Harry Kane and the wide service around him can pin France’s back line, and if that forces Aurelien Tchouameni and the center backs to collapse, Bellingham gets the pocket he wants. France has the stronger pure scoring punch, but England’s best path in play is turning those transition moments into a midfield runner arriving free.

Watch the space at the top of France’s box after England’s first pass into attack, because that is where this match can tilt.

Players To Watch

The Manchester City attacking midfielder is full of promise for the French team but played only limited minutes at this World Cup due to playing behind Michael Olise. If Deschamps is going to change things for the third-place game, Cherki would be a good place to begin, as he is likely anxious to make a positive impression and build a case for more minutes in the coming years.

The Paris Saint-Germain winger is another testament to the depth of this French team. As one of the most accomplished young players in the world, with two Champions League titles under his belt by the age of 20 (he turned 21 just before the start of this tournament), he is not a regular starter for France. At this tournament, he only started three of France’s first seven games. In those starts, he scored against Norway and assisted against Morocco. He could thrive in this third-place game if it becomes wide open, as is likely. Like Cherki, he is a big part of the team’s future.

The Tottenham fullback has played in all of England’s seven games and has made two starts. Defensively, he was strong off the bench in helping preserve the wins over Mexico and Norway in the knockouts. He might be rewarded with a start in this game to try to handle the powerful French attack.

In a game that should be offensively heavy, Rogers should have a chance to show what he can do. The Aston Villa attacker assisted on Anthony Gordon’s goal against Argentina and worked well with Jude Bellingham. Rogers typically plays on the outside when Bellingham is on the field but moves centrally when Bellingham is not playing. In this game, he might have the keys to the attack if Bellingham is used as a sub.

France vs. England Odds

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Spain team; and Lionel Messi (AP Photos)

Spain great Andres Iniesta has delivered a clear message to Luis de la Fuente’s side ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final against Argentina: don’t waste energy trying to stop Lionel Messi completely because “it’s impossible.”The Barcelona legend, who scored the winning goal in Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup final triumph, believes the key to lifting the trophy lies not in neutralising Messi but in sticking to Spain’s own identity and making Argentina uncomfortable through possession, creativity and clinical finishing.Defending champions Argentina head into the title clash as the tournament’s highest-scoring team, with Messi producing another masterclass in what is expected to be the final World Cup appearance of his glittering career. The 39-year-old has already amassed eight goals and four assists, while Spain have remained unbeaten and conceded just once in seven matches.

‘Shutting him down is impossible’

Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Iniesta admitted that completely silencing Messi is an unrealistic objective for any team.“Shutting him down completely is impossible,” Iniesta said, as quoted by Goal.com. “It will be more about how much Spain can hurt Argentina with their own game, creating chances, and being clinical when they come along.”Having spent more than a decade alongside Messi at Barcelona, Iniesta knows better than most the challenge the Argentine captain presents.“There are no words, or I just don’t know how to describe it. The determination, conviction, and everything he does in every single game is something you just have to take your hat off to,” he said.Rather than devising a strategy solely around containing Messi, Iniesta believes Spain must trust the style of football that has carried them to the final.

Back your game, not fear Messi

The former Spain captain urged La Roja to approach football’s biggest occasion with confidence instead of fear, insisting their performances throughout the tournament have earned them the right to believe.“No, no, never fear. You must never play with fear,” Iniesta said.“I think it’s down to the confidence the players give you, and their momentum throughout the World Cup has been on an upward trajectory. They head into the final with all the confidence in the world,” he added.He also praised the clarity and cohesion within Spain’s squad, highlighting how every player understands their role regardless of who starts.“Everyone knows exactly what they need to do. No matter who plays, everyone knows their role, and they exude supreme confidence. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch or what position they play; they give you the feeling that everything is under control,” he said.Spain have built their run to the final on defensive discipline and collective football, with stars such as Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino leading the attack. After defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals, they now stand one win away from their second World Cup title.For Iniesta, however, individual heroics matter little compared to the ultimate prize. Asked whether he hoped a particular player would score the winner against Argentina, his answer was unequivocal.“It’s not even a dilemma, because my answer is that I don’t care who scores it. The important thing, just like back then, is that we walk away as champions. Who scores is secondary, as long as it’s the goal that wins it,” he concluded.

France’s bid to reach their third successive FIFA World Cup final ended in heartbreak as they went down 0-2 to Spain in the first semifinal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 earlier this week.

Now, in a big shake-up ahead of their third-place playoff against England on Sunday, media reports say former France player and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane may assume the role of France’s next head coach, replacing Didier Deschamps once the current edition of the FIFA World Cup is concluded.

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news through a post on his Instagram page. “Zinedine Zidane will be France’s next head coach, never in doubt since November as a clear decision was made. Zidane has already sorted his staff and the documents will be formally signed this month,” Romano claimed in the video.

Romano added that Zidane is expected to lead France through the UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

While Romano’s update has fuelled fresh speculation, the French Football Federation (FFF) has not yet officially announced any such move.

Check the full video here:

The biggest indication came in March this year when ESPN reported that Zidane had reached a verbal agreement with the FFF to become France’s next head coach after the 2026 World Cup.

A glittering coaching career at Real Madrid

While Zidane’s managerial career has been relatively short, it has been remarkably successful. Appointed Real Madrid manager in January 2016, he immediately transformed the Spanish giants into Europe’s dominant force by guiding them to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 — an achievement no manager has matched in the competition’s modern era.

Across two spells in charge, Zidane won 11 major trophies, including two La Liga titles, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups. Beyond the silverware, he earned widespread praise for his calm leadership and exceptional man-management, successfully handling a dressing room featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, and Toni Kroos.

Those qualities are expected to prove invaluable with a France squad packed with world-class talent and led by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, besides a new generation of emerging stars.

Why France was always Zidane’s destination

Unlike many of Europe’s elite managers, Zidane has never hidden where he ultimately wanted to coach. Since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, his name has been linked to some of the biggest jobs in club football, including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Juventus and Bayern Munich. Yet he has repeatedly chosen to stay out of that race, further fuelling the belief that he was waiting for the FFF’s call to duty.

The French legend himself has done little to dismiss that notion. Speaking in 2022, Zidane described coaching Les Bleus as “a dream”, saying: “Of course, it’s a dream. I can’t wait.” More recently, he reiterated his ambition by adding: “When the opportunity comes, it will be with great pleasure.” Those remarks only reinforced the widespread belief that succeeding Deschamps had always been his preferred goal.

His connection with the national team extends far beyond coaching aspirations. Zidane remains one of the greatest players in French football history, having inspired France to their maiden FIFA World Cup title in 1998 before leading them to UEFA Euro 2000 glory.

For many supporters, Zidane taking charge of Les Bleus will represent the natural final chapter in a career that has already conquered football as both a player and a club manager.

The Deschamps era: Fourteen years of consistency

Regardless of the outcome against England in the third-place playoff, Deschamps will leave behind one of the finest managerial legacies in international football. Appointed in 2012 following France’s disappointing Euro campaign, he rebuilt a fractured national side into one of the world’s most consistent tournament teams.

Under Deschamps, France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, finished runners-up at Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, lifted the UEFA Nations League in 2021 and reached at least the semifinals in five of the seven major tournaments they contested.

He also became only the third individual to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach, having captained France to glory in 1998 before repeating the feat from the dugout two decades later.

Despite criticism over his pragmatic style of play, Deschamps consistently delivered results and restored France to the top echelons of international football.

What awaits Zidane with Les Bleus

Should his appointment be confirmed, Zidane will inherit one of the most talented squads in world football but also one burdened with enormous expectations. France have reached four of the last five World Cup semifinals and two of the last three finals, making anything less than major silverware a disappointment.

His immediate challenge will be to build on the foundations laid by Deschamps while giving this gifted generation a fresh tactical identity. With Mbappe entering his prime, supported by William Saliba, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Olise, Dembele, and several emerging youngsters, France are not short on quality for every major title over the next four years.

Zidane’s exceptional record at Real Madrid suggests he has the pedigree to manage elite players and thrive under pressure. Nonetheless, succeeding the longest-serving and one of the most successful coaches in France’s history will be no cakewalk. If confirmed, his tenure will begin with the UEFA Nations League before attention shifts to Euro 2028 and, ultimately, the 2030 FIFA World Cup — a tournament many hope will mark the beginning of another golden chapter for Les Bleus under one of their greatest-ever footballers.

File Pic: Lovlina Borgohain and Mirabai Chanu (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Weightlifting star Mirabai Chanu and boxing ace Lovlina Borgohain will lead the 124-member Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on July 23.Olympic medallists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain will carry India’s hopes and the Tricolour at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named the decorated duo as the country’s flag and baton bearers on Saturday.The opening ceremony of the scaled-down edition of the Commonwealth Games will take place at the OVO Hydro on July 23, where the two accomplished athletes will lead India’s 124-member contingent into the arena.Announcing the decision, IOA president PT Usha said the honour reflected the outstanding contributions both athletes have made to Indian sport.“It is a matter of pride Mirabai and Lovlina will be doing the honours at the OVO Hydro. I wish both the girls and the entire contingent good luck,” Usha said in a statement. “It is a matter of pride two women have been chosen to do the honours for Team India at the opening ceremony, which will set the tone and tenor for the Games.”

Two of India’s biggest medal hopes

Mirabai and Lovlina head to Glasgow not only as India’s ceremonial leaders but also among its strongest medal contenders.Mirabai, who won Olympic silver in the women’s 49kg category at the Tokyo Games in 2021, has been the face of Indian weightlifting for nearly a decade. She added Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022 and is also a multiple medallist at the World Championships.Although she narrowly missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, the Manipur lifter remains one of India’s brightest prospects in Glasgow.Lovlina, meanwhile, scripted history by winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics before becoming world champion in 2023. She also claimed silver at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and enters the Commonwealth Games as one of India’s leading boxing medal hopes.Usha praised both athletes for consistently delivering on the biggest stages.“Both Mirabai and Lovlina have time and again proved themselves in the international arena for India. They are at present training in right earnest for the Games in the United Kingdom,” she said.

India sends 124-member contingent

Earlier this week, the IOA officially flagged off the Indian contingent while unveiling the ceremonial and competition kits for the Games.India will be represented by 124 athletes, including both able-bodied and para-athletes, across 10 disciplines, including athletics, boxing, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls and swimming, along with several para-sport events.The contingent will be led by Chef de Mission Rohit Rajpal and Deputy Chef de Mission Ravi Bengani as India looks to continue its rich Commonwealth Games legacy.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts just wants to be a baseball player, not a political figure or a political vehicle for people to push their agendas.

Betts, 33, visited the White House after the Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, but will not be going this year. The four-time World Series champion said he just had a baby and wanted to spend time with his family, and insisted the decision was not politically motivated.

The American League MVP winner questioned why athletes are viewed as political figures in today’s day and age.

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts looks on in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)

“I don’t know why the world sees athletes as these political figures or these people that can make change or these people that can do this, that, and the other. We go out and play our sport,” Betts told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

“I’m sure there are some guys in there that that love politics and want to be in it, but I’m not sure why the world sees us that way. But it kind of is what it is.”

The eight-time All-Star said athletes are in a tough position when it comes to visiting the White House because someone is guaranteed to be upset with the decision.

“Athletes, we’re in positions where, you know, especially myself, where I’m kind of damned if I do or damned if I don’t,” Betts told Fox News Digital in an interview on behalf of LGND, his glove company.

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President Donald Trump and Mookie Betts shake hands in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, April 7, 2025. Trump is hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers to celebrate their 2024 World Series victory. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Knowing that backlash will come regardless of his decision, Betts decided to do what was best for him and his family.

“So instead of trying to make other people happy, it’s let me just make myself happy, you know, make myself happy and get to spend some time with my family. Like I said, I got a new baby, so get to spend some time with her,” Betts continued.

“I don’t really worry about it too much. Like I said, my stance is really that if I’m going to make everybody mad, make somebody mad, then at least I’m gonna make myself happy. So, that’s where I’m at.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts is greeted by first base coach Chris Woodward after hitting an RBI single during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. (William Liang/Imagn Images)

Betts is in the 13th season of his illustrious career but has struggled this year compared with previous seasons. The Nashville native is a career .288 hitter with 302 home runs and 944 RBIs, but is hitting just .235 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs this season.

The six-time Gold Glove winner will look to get back on track in the second half and help lead the Dodgers to a third straight World Series title.

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United take on Wrexham in their opening pre-season game of the summer and here are how our writers think they should line up:

Tyrone Marshall

The truth is United will probably pick two teams in Helsinki, with both getting 45 minutes, but who plays with who and what we can read into that will be interesting. It also makes sense to try and keep a mix of youth and experience.

Given Vitek is going to leave there doesn’t seem much point in starting him, so I would go with Heaton in goal. Kamason and Amass can start at full-backs alongside a more experienced central defence of Maguire and Yoro.

It would be good to see Santos from the start alongside one of the youngsters. I’d opt for Tyler Fletcher given he appears to be the most advanced of them.

In attack, Dorgu can start on the left and Mbeumo on the right, allowing Chido Obi to play through the middle.

Steven Railston

The headline for today’s game will be Santos’ involvement after his transfer from Chelsea. It will be fascinating to get a glimpse of him in action, and he should be supported by Collyer and Mount in midfield.

I’d give Kamason a chance to show what we can do at right-back. He enjoyed a brilliant 2024/25, but his momentum was halted by an injury last term and hopefully he can return to the levels he showed previously.

Lacey is a really exciting prospect, and coaches believe he can contribute to the senior squad this season. Wheatley may have been forgotten about by some, but he has all the ingredients to be a top striker and should be given a start down the middle.