Deschamps' Farewell Match: France Faces England in World Cup Third-Place Playoff

Didier Deschamps is set to coach his final match for the French national team this Saturday in Miami, facing England in the third-place playoff of the 2026 World Cup. After fourteen years at the helm, Deschamps' tenure concludes with this game, his 290th as manager.

Despite the disappointment of a semi-final loss to Spain, French players aim to give Deschamps a successful send-off. Kylian Mbappé has already paid tribute to his coach on social media. The French lineup sees seven changes from the previous match, with Mbappé and Olise featuring. Goalkeeper Maignan, midfielder Rabiot, and forwards Olisé and Mbappé are among the four players retained from the starting eleven against Spain. The defense is entirely new, featuring a Konaté-Lacroix pairing, while Zaïre-Emery takes a midfield spot and Cherki plays as an attacking midfielder.

England's coach, Thomas Tuchel, has also opted for a significantly altered squad, benching key players like Kane and Bellingham. Toney will lead the attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rashford returning on the left wing. New defensive players Quansah and Konsa are set to start. The England XI includes Henderson, Quansah, Konsa, Guéhi, Spence, Rice (c), Rogers, Saka, Eze, Rashford, and Toney.

This third-place playoff is historically significant, being the first time two teams ranked within the FIFA Top 5 will contest this match. France and England have met three times previously in World Cups, with France holding a record of one win and two losses against the Three Lions. Their most recent encounter in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals saw France emerge victorious.