England and France face off in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday, July 18, at 10pm UK time in Miami Stadium. The match determines who finishes third and receives bronze medals, while the losing side is classified as fourth.
Medals and Prize Money
Unlike the final, no trophy is awarded for third place. Instead, every player from the winning team receives an individual bronze medal. The victorious football association also earns approximately £22 million from FIFA, while the fourth-place team receives £20 million.
History of the Bronze Final
The third-place play-off has been a consistent feature of World Cups since 1934. These matches typically produce many goals, as the pressure of knockout stages is lifted. England have lost both previous third-place matches, to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018. France have won bronze twice, in 1958 and 1986.
Additional Stakes
The match offers stars like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane a chance to boost their Golden Boot tally. It also marks the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year reign as France manager.
