France vs. England projected lineups, starting 11 for World Cup third-place playoff game in Miami

France take on England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday, July 18, with both teams looking to end the tournament on a positive note.

Didier Deschamps’ side dropped into the bronze-medal match following a 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain, bringing an end to their hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.

England also suffered semifinal heartbreak, losing 2-1 to Argentina to set up this meeting. Thomas Tuchel’s team will now attempt to recover quickly and secure third place at Hard Rock Stadium.

Here are the latest team news updates and projected starting lineups for France and England.

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France projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 16. M. Maignan (GK) — 5. J. Kounde, 15. I. Konate, 26. M. Lacroix, 19. T. Hernandez — 6. M. Kone, 18. W. Zaire-Emery — 24. R. Cherki, 11. M. Olise, 20. D. Doue — 10. K. Mbappe

Injured: 17. W. Saliba (back)Suspended: NoneOn a yellow card: None

Deschamps is expected to make several changes following France’s semifinal defeat to Spain, although the outgoing manager is unlikely to completely rotate his side with a World Cup bronze medal still up for grabs. The third-place playoff could provide opportunities for fringe players while allowing a handful of regular starters to earn a final appearance under the coach, who is stepping down once the tournament concludes and is expected to be replaced by Zinedine Zidane.

Mike Maignan will likely continue goal behind a back four of Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix and Theo Hernandez. Lacroix is expected to replace the injured William Saliba after the Arsenal defender aggravated a back problem against Spain, while Hernandez could return at left-back following Lucas Digne’s costly penalty concession in the semifinal.

Manu Kone and Warren Zaire-Emery are pushing to start in midfield ahead of Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni, while N’Golo Kante could also be handed one final World Cup appearance before Deschamps departs. Further forward, Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise and Desire Doue are all expected to come into the starting lineup as France looks to inject fresh energy into its attack.

Kylian Mbappe is projected to lead the line once again as he chases back-to-back World Cup Golden Boots. With Deschamps overseeing his final match in charge of France, the third-place playoff offers one last opportunity to end his tenure on a winning note.

England projected starting 11

(4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. J. Pickford (GK) — 25. D. Spence, 2. E. Konsa, 6. M. Guehi, 3. N. O’Reilly — 4. D. Rice, 8. E. Anderson — 17. M. Rogers, 10. J. Bellingham, 18. A. Gordon — 9. H. Kane

Injured: 24. R. James (muscle), 14. J. Henderson (broken arm)Suspended: NoneOn a yellow card: None

Tuchel is expected to make a handful of changes after England’s semifinal defeat to Argentina, although the German is unlikely to rotate heavily with a World Cup bronze medal still on the line. Several players who have impressed in supporting roles could be rewarded with starts as England looks to finish the tournament strongly.

Jordan Pickford should continue in goal behind a back four of Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly. Spence is expected to move back to right-back following Reece James’ injury against Argentina, while Konsa could replace John Stones, whose minutes may be managed after a quick turnaround between matches.

Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are projected to retain their places in midfield with Jordan Henderson unavailable, while Kobbie Mainoo appears unlikely to force his way into the side despite not yet playing a minute at these finals. Further forward, Morgan Rogers and Anthony Gordon are expected to keep their places on the flanks after combining for England’s goal in the semifinal, with Jude Bellingham operating behind Harry Kane, who will captain the Three Lions once again as England aims to end its World Cup campaign with a victory.

MORE: The players Tuchel ignored who could solve his England ‘DNA’ problem

France vs. England predictions, betting odds

With both teams coming off painful semifinal defeats, motivation could prove just as important as quality in Miami. France and England boast plenty of attacking talent, but squad rotation and tired legs may produce a more open contest than either side has experienced during the knockout stage.

England has looked dangerous going forward throughout the tournament, while France still possesses the individual brilliance of Mbappe to change any match. However, the Three Lions appear slightly better balanced heading into the bronze-medal clash and could edge a closely fought encounter to finish third.

Score prediction: France 1-2 EnglandFrance vs. England World Cup rosters

Below are the rosters for each team, with ages and caps correct as of the announcements in May 2026.

France World Cup squad 

Head coach: Didier Deschamps

PosNo.NameClubAgeCapsGK16Mike MaignanAC Milan (Serie A, Italy)3038GK23Robin RisserLens (Ligue 1, France)210GK1Brice SambaRennes (Ligue 1, France)324DEF3Lucas DigneAston Villa (Premier League, England)3256DEF2Malo GustoChelsea (Premier League, England)239DEF21Lucas HernandezParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 3041DEF19Theo HernandezAl-Hilal (Pro League, Saudi Arabia)2842DEF15Ibrahima KonateLiverpool (Premier League, England)2727DEF5Jules KoundeBarcelona (La Liga, Spain)2746DEF26Maxence LacroixCrystal Palace (Premier League, England)262DEF4Dayot UpamecanoBayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)2736DEF17William SalibaArsenal (Premier League, England)2531MID13N’Golo KanteFenerbahce (Super Lig, Turkey)3567MID6Manu KoneAS Roma (Serie A, Italy)2512MID14Adrien RabiotAC Milan (Serie A, Italy)3157MID8Aurelien TchouameniReal Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2644MID18Warren Zaire-EmeryParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 2010FWD25Maghnes AklioucheMonaco (Ligue 1, France)247FWD12Bradley BarcolaParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France)2318FWD24Rayan CherkiManchester City (Premier League, England)225FWD7Ousmane DembeleParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 2958FWD20Desire DoueParis Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France) 216FWD22Jean-Philippe MatetaCrystal Palace (Premier League, England)283FWD10Kylian MbappeReal Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2796FWD11Michael OliseBayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)2415FWD9Marcus ThuramInter Milan (Serie A, Italy)2833England World Cup squad

MORE: A complete breakdown of England’s 2026 World Cup squad

Head coach: Thomas Tuchel

PositionNo.PlayerClubAgeCapsGK13Dean HendersonCrystal Palace (Premier League, England)294GK1Jordan PickfordEverton (Premier League, England)3282GK23James TraffordManchester City (Premier League, England)231DEF15Dan BurnNewcastle (Premier League, England)346DEF12Trevoh ChalobahChelsea (Premier League, England)261DEF6Marc GuehiManchester City (Premier League, England)2527DEF24Reece JamesChelsea (Premier League, England)2622DEF2Ezri KonsaAston Villa (Premier League, England)2818DEF3Nico O’ReillyManchester City (Premier League, England)213DEF26Jarell QuansahBayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, Germany)231DEF25Djed SpenceTottenham Hotspur (Premier League, England)244DEF5John StonesManchester City (Premier League, England)3187MID8Elliot AndersonNottingham Forest (Premier League, England)237MID10Jude BellinghamReal Madrid (La Liga, Spain)2246MID21Eberechi EzeArsenal (Premier League, England)2716MID14Jordan HendersonBrentford (Premier League, England)3589MID16Kobbie MainooManchester United (Premier League, England)2112MID4Declan RiceArsenal (Premier League, England)2772MID17Morgan RogersAston Villa (Premier League, England)2313FWD18Anthony GordonNewcastle United (Premier League, England)2517FWD9Harry KaneBayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)32112FWD20Noni MaduekeArsenal (Premier League, England)2410FWD11Marcus RashfordManchester United (Premier League, England)2870FWD7Bukayo SakaArsenal (Premier League, England)2448FWD22Ivan ToneyAl Ahli (Pro League, Saudi Arabia)307FWD19Ollie WatkinsAston Villa (Premier League, England)3020Where to watch France vs. England

In USA:

TV channel: FOXLive stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Here is how to watch the match in some of the other major territories:

RegionTVStreamingCanadaTSN1, TSN3, TSN4, RDS 2TSN+, RDS appUKBBC OneBBC iPlayer, BBC Sport websiteAustraliaSBSSBS On DemandIndiaUnite8 Sports 1, 2ZEE5