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World Cup Bronze Battle! France vs. England Kicks Off in Miami Today
Quick Summary
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost over — but there is one more big match today! France and England are playing for third place in Miami, Florida. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. It is a chance for both teams to end the tournament on a high note and take home a bronze medal.
What Happened?
Both France and England came heartbreakingly close to the World Cup Final — but did not quite make it.
France had a brilliant tournament, winning all six of its first games and scoring 16 goals. Then in the semifinals, Spain shut them out completely with a 2-0 win. France’s star striker Kylian Mbappé, who scored eight goals in the tournament, could not find the net.
England also had a great run, beating teams including Norway and Mexico. In the semifinal, England even took a 1-0 lead against Argentina. But the defending champions fought back. Lionel Messi helped set up two late goals, and Argentina won 2-1.
So now both teams face each other — not for the championship, but for something still worth celebrating: third place in the entire world.
The game is being played at Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida. It is the last match before tomorrow’s big final between Argentina and Spain.
For France, it is an extra-special goodbye. Head coach Didier Deschamps is stepping down after this game. He has coached France since 2012, won the World Cup in 2018, and will end his time in charge with one last match.
For England, it is a chance to finish in the top three at a World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
Why Does It Matter?
Winning a bronze medal at the World Cup is a real achievement. Only four teams out of 48 that started the tournament even reach this stage. France and England are two of the greatest soccer nations in history, and their players — including Mbappé, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham — are among the best on the planet.
Third-place games also tend to be exciting and free-flowing. Because the pressure of reaching the final is gone, both teams usually attack boldly. In 16 of the last 20 World Cup third-place games, the teams combined to score more than two goals.
Big Words
- Bronze final — the match to decide which team finishes third at the World Cup; the winner gets a bronze medal
- Semifinal — a match where the winner advances to the final and the loser plays for third place
- Golden Boot — the award given to the player who scores the most goals in a World Cup tournament
- Striker — a soccer player whose main job is to attack and score goals
- Shutout — when a team keeps the other side from scoring any goals at all; also called a clean sheet
Fun Fact
France and England have played each other 32 times in international soccer. Their most recent World Cup meeting was in the 2022 quarterfinals, where France won 2-1. Today, they meet again — but this time for a medal!
Think About It
If you had just missed out on playing in the championship game of your favorite sport, how would you motivate yourself to give 100% in the third-place game anyway?
Sources
- England Football (englandfootball.com) — England to face France in World Cup third place match
- Fox Sports — Star-Studded Bronze Match: Mbappé, Bellingham Lead France-England Third-Place Game
- Fox.com — Watch France vs England World Cup Third-Place Bronze Final Live Today
- FIFA.com — Bronze Final match page, July 18 2026