World Cup 2026 Third Place Play Off Preview

PROBABLE STARTING LINE UPS FOR BOTH TEAMS

Nobody talks about the third place play off because it's the game that no teams want to play in.

But this one could be the best one in World Cup history because of the quality of players that both sides have at their disposal.

France were very disappointing in their semi final against Spain and it was very surprising to see them put in such a flat performance.

They were by far the best team at the tournament up until that defeat and for them to put in such a below par performance was unexpected.

Didier Deschamps may not have got the ending he was hoping for, but he'll still want to end his time in charge on a high and because of this he'll surely play a strong team.

Thomas Tuchel's defensive changes were what cost England against Argentina as they spent much of the second half sitting back hoping to hold on for the win.

The reaction to that defeat has been slightly over the top as some England fans have been calling for Tuchel to go despite him leading England to a World Cup semi final which is still a good showing.

He'll want to make up for the Argentina defeat by fielding a strong team in this game which he should because he'll want to end his first tournament as England manager on a high note.

PREDICTION:

Both teams need to respond after what happened in their respective semi finals and I can see this being a very close game because of the quality of players both sides have.

Both teams will score and have a lot of chances because of the quality they both possess in attack, but I think France will just edge it as their attack is stronger.

FS: 2-1