England vs France: Date, time for 2026 World Cup third-place playoff

England and France are set to face off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff, with both European giants aiming to end the tournament on a high note after falling short in the semi-finals.

Pre-tournament favorites France saw their quest for a third World Cup title dashed by a 2-0 defeat to Spain. Meanwhile, England's dream of reaching the final was ended by a 2-1 loss to the defending champions, Argentina. Both teams will now have one last opportunity to secure a podium finish.

England struggled to impose themselves against Argentina, with their midfield control faltering for significant periods. Despite threats from wide areas, key players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham found it difficult to create decisive opportunities. France, too, failed to replicate the attacking prowess that had marked them as one of the tournament's most potent sides, as Spain effectively neutralized their offense. Ousmane Dembele had a quiet game, and counter-attacking options involving Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola were not fully exploited.

The third-place playoff match between England and France is scheduled for Saturday, July 18. The game will kick off at 10 p.m. Nigeria time at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This venue, with a capacity of 64,478, has previously hosted major events like the 2024 Copa América and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. With both nations possessing considerable attacking talent but having shown vulnerabilities in their semi-final performances, the match presents a chance for them to conclude their World Cup campaigns with a respectable third-place finish.