The 1966 FIFA World Cup winners, the Three Lions of England, will take on two-time world champions, Les Bleus of France, later today as both sides battle for third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
France lifted the World Cup trophy in 1998 and 2018 before falling to Argentina in the 2022 final.
Despite missing out on the chance to compete for the title, both teams will be eager to end their campaigns on a positive note with a victory in the third-place playoff.
England suffered a heartbreaking semi-final defeat to defending champions Argentina. Anthony Gordon gave the Three Lions the lead midway through the second half, but Thomas Tuchel’s side were unable to hold on.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández equalised for the three-time world champions with a long-range strike in the 80th minute before substitute Lautaro Martínez headed home Lionel Messi’s inswinging cross late in the game to seal Argentina’s comeback victory.
As the countdown to tonight’s crucial third-place clash continues, both England and France will be hoping to finish the 2026 FIFA World Cup on a winning note.
France are two-time FIFA World Cup champions, having won the tournament on home soil in 1998 and again in Russia in 2018.
They also reached the 2022 final but were beaten by Argentina. England’s only World Cup triumph came in 1966 when they hosted and won the competition.
The Three Lions have also reached the semi-finals in three of their last four World Cup appearances.