England take on France in World Cup bronze final
England will conclude their World Cup campaign against France in the third-place play-off at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026. Just three days after a crushing semi-final defeat to Argentina, the Three Lions aim to secure their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966.
Kick-off time and how to watch
The match kicks off at 10pm BST (5pm ET) at Miami Stadium, where England previously defeated Norway in the quarter-finals. UK viewers can watch live on BBC One from 9:30pm or stream via BBC iPlayer. Metro's live blog provides minute-by-minute coverage, goal updates, and confirmed lineups.
Team news and key storylines
England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad after a gruelling six-week campaign across North America. France, meanwhile, will give coach Didier Deschamps a fitting send-off in his final match in charge. The main individual storyline is Kylian Mbappe, who is competing with Lionel Messi for the tournament's Golden Boot. Mbappe currently leads the scoring charts, and any goals in this match count towards the award, according to tournament rules.
Build-up and exclusive coverage
Metro's exclusive World Cup final buildup includes a free daily newsletter. The live blog features all pre-match build-up, confirmed starting XIs, and real-time updates throughout the night. England's third-place decider is their final match of the 2026 World Cup, with the team looking to end on a high note after a semi-final disappointment.
