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    FIFA World Cup 2026 - France TrainingReuters
    FIFA World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappé’s France gear up for last dance in ‘Bronze Final’ against England
    FIFA World Cup 2026: With hopes of lifting the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy already gone, France and England prepare for one final act as they meet in the third place play off, or the “bronze final” as FIFA calls it, in Miami on Saturday (July 18, 2026).

    Both sides arrive in Florida still reeling from semi final defeats that many believe were largely self inflicted. France, one of the standout teams of the tournament, were outclassed by Spain’s tactical brilliance and fell 2-0 on Tuesday. England added another painful chapter to their World Cup history the following day, surrendering a lead to lose 2-1 against Argentina in Atlanta.

    Now, both teams must summon whatever competitive spirit and physical reserves remain for a fixture widely regarded as the least desirable in football. France captain Kylian Mbappé, joint top scorer alongside Argentina’s Lionel Messi with eight goals, will look to add to his tally against England’s unsettled defence. He is chasing the all time World Cup scoring record, currently on 20 goals, one behind Messi’s 21.


    England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, with six goals each, could also enter the race with a strong performance at Hard Rock Stadium.

    Harry Kane’s last World Cup appearance?

    For Kane, England’s all time record goalscorer, the match may carry added significance. Turning 33 this month, the Bayern Munich forward faces uncertainty over his participation in the 2030 World Cup. Neither he nor the England camp has confirmed whether this will be his final appearance on the biggest stage.

    Kane refused to speculate after Wednesday’s defeat, telling reporters, as quoted by AFP: “It’s too early to talk about that. I’m taking it year by year and the national team is my pride and joy. It’s what I love to do more than anything… I never want to put a limit on these things.”

    FIFA World Cup 2026 3rd Place Match: Time and Venue


    • July 18: France vs. England – Miami Stadium (5 p.m. ET)

    How to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live in the US


    • Channels: FOX, Fox Sports 1, Telemundo, Universo, Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu
    • Streaming: Fox One, Peacock, DirecTV, Fubo

    How to watch FIFA World Cup 2026 live in Canada


    • Channels/Streaming: TSN, CTV, and RDS

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    Published on 17 July 2026 by economictimes_indiatimes

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