France and England are set to clash in the third-place playoff of the 2026 World Cup, a significant match that marks the end of an era for French coach Didier Deschamps. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 AM Hanoi time (GMT+7).

Starting Lineups

England has made seven changes to their starting lineup following their semi-final defeat to Argentina. Dean Henderson will replace Jordan Pickford in goal, while Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa will start in defense, taking the places of Reece James and John Stones, both of whom were sidelined due to injuries. Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers will continue in midfield alongside Eberechi Eze. Up front, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka will play as wingers, with Ivan Toney leading the attack. Notably, Ollie Watkins, who is often seen as a backup for Harry Kane, will start on the bench.

On the French side, Didier Deschamps has opted for a strong lineup, with Mike Maignan remaining in goal. The defense sees a complete overhaul, featuring a new quartet of defenders. In midfield, 20-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery is expected to shine alongside veteran Adrien Rabiot, who may be participating in his final major tournament. The attacking trio consists of Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki, and Desire Doue, with Kylian Mbappe continuing to lead the charge as he vies for the Golden Boot.

Match Predictions

According to predictions from the Opta supercomputer, France is favored to win with a 50.7% chance of victory in the match. England's chances stand at 25.6%, while the probability of a draw after 90 minutes is 23.7%.

Historical Context

This encounter will mark the fourth meeting between France and England at the World Cup. Historically, England has won the first two matches, with scores of 2-0 in 1966 and 3-1 in 1982. However, France triumphed in their last encounter, winning 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup. In their last nine meetings, England has only managed one victory, with two draws and six losses, highlighting a challenging history against the French side.

Interesting Facts

As the match approaches, the history of World Cup third-place playoffs is filled with remarkable stories, from unbreakable records to explosive performances, making this match not just another game but a significant chapter in World Cup history.