Third-place match is 'the game nobody wants to play,' say France and England coaches

The match for third place in the World Cup between France and England is a fixture neither team, nor their coaches, wanted to play. Both Didier Deschamps and Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the deep disappointment of falling short in the semifinals, with Tuchel stating, "None of our players nor any of the French players want to play this match. They want to play the final." England's coach lamented the loss to Argentina, which saw them leading until the final minutes, with a critical analysis from The Guardian suggesting Tuchel's defensive tactics were born of fear. The defeat has prolonged England's wait for a World Cup title since 1966. For France, the match signifies the end of an era. Didier Deschamps will depart as coach after 14 years, acknowledging his "duty" to contest the game but admitting, "In my head I know this is my last match. I don't want anyone to cry. The end is near, but life goes on."

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None of our players nor any of the French players want to play this match. They want to play the final.

Tuchel's team faces an added challenge with less recovery time than France. The elimination has left a deep wound, particularly after their semifinal collapse against Argentina, where late goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez sealed their fate. Tuchel's tactical approach in that match drew sharp criticism, with The Guardian's headline declaring, "He played with fire. Argentina had intention; Tuchel had fear." Despite the disappointment, both teams are expected to approach the match with professionalism, though fatigue may lead to altered lineups. Kylian Mbappé remains available for France, adding a dynamic element to their potential lineup as he vies for the Golden Boot with Lionel Messi.

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I have a duty for this match. It is not a friendly. The players, the coaching staff and I have the obligation to achieve this last objective.

The third-place playoff in Miami carries significant emotional weight, especially for Deschamps, whose long and successful tenure with the French national team concludes. His final words as coach express a desire for a dignified end to his time with the team, focusing on fulfilling their final objective of securing third place. The game represents not just a final match of the tournament, but a farewell to a coach who has led France through a significant period of success.

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England does not want to play this match and neither do we. But we are here. We must set our sights on the objective of finishing third and making it a reality. We have that duty when we wear this jersey.