England and France will have one more World Cup assignment after their semi-final defeats: the Match for Third Place at Miami Stadium on Saturday, 18 July. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00 local time (21:00 UTC), making it Match 103 of a 104-game tournament and the final fixture before Argentina play Spain for the title on Sunday, 19 July.
The pairing became official after England lost 2-1 to defending champions Argentina in Atlanta on 15 July and France were beaten 2-0 by Spain in Dallas a day earlier. England led Argentina through Anthony Gordon before Enzo Fernández levelled in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez struck in stoppage time; France’s run ended against a Spain side that has progressed to Sunday’s final.
For both teams, Miami is an immediate test of recovery as well as a chance to leave the United States with a medal. England have not won the World Cup since 1966 and were fourth in 1990 and 2018. France won third place in 1958 and 1986, but this squad arrives after its bid to return to a third straight final ended in the semi-final.
The game also closes Miami Stadium’s seven-match World Cup programme. The Miami Gardens venue has staged four group matches, a Round-of-32 match and a quarter-final before this playoff; its tournament capacity is about 65,000. FIFA uses the name Miami Stadium during the competition, while the venue is commonly known as Hard Rock Stadium.
The short turnaround will shape selection and intensity. England’s leaders Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham and France’s Kylian Mbappé are among the players carrying heavy minutes into the last weekend. A win would not erase the disappointment of missing the final, but it would give either side a tangible finish to the first 48-team World Cup.