France v England LIVE: World Cup 2026 bronze final kick-off time, team news and latest updates

The 2026 World Cup is at its final furlong. After all the build-up and a thrilling five weeks of the very highest sporting drama, there are now just two matches left.

European champions Spain were ultra-impressive in dismantling France and stopping their attacking firepower, while Lionel Messi’s Argentina side again launched a stunning comeback, scoring twice in eight minutes to beat a distraught England 2-1 on Wednesday, as they eye a second consecutive triumph on the world stage.

As for France and England, they face each other in tonight’s bronze final – the match nobody wants to play in. But having reflected on the past 102 games, we’ve decided on our best players, fitted into a 4-3-3 formation.

Here is the Independent’s World Cup team of the tournament.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 8 goals (4 assists) – 712 minutes played

2. Kylian Mbappe (France), 8 goals, (3 assists) – 666 minutes played

3. Erling Haaland (Norway), 7 goals (0 assists) – 537 minutes played

= 4. Jude Bellingham (England), 6 goals (1 assist) – 678 minutes played

= 4 Harry Kane (England), 6 goals (1 assist) – 732 minutes played

6. Ousmane Dembele (France), 5 goals (2 assists) – 595 minutes played

The unique allure and jeopardy of World Cup matches, the exclusivity of such seismic occasions every four years, are undoubtedly the tournament’s greatest asset. It’s what stirs the senses, arouses tension, triggers drama. And yet, heading into this weekend’s final furlong, the World Cup’s penultimate match continues to be a showdown that nobody – players, fans, broadcasters – really cares about.

There are calls for Tuchel to be sacked by the FA with many pointing to Guardiola, fresh off leaving Manchester City at the end of last season, as a dream replacement.

It is customary, at times like this, to mention 1966. Amid England’s repeated inability to replicate the scenes at Wembley six decades ago, however, it may be pertinent to note 1966 was the last World Cup before the introduction of substitutes. England’s defence of their title ended in 1970 after Sir Alf Ramsey’s decision to take Bobby Charlton off against West Germany. If nothing else, it is no longer the most infamous substitution an England manager has made in a World Cup in North America. When Ezri Konsa came for Anthony Gordon in Atlanta, it helped propel Argentina into the final.

Thomas Tuchel may note the only three previous managers to take England to a World Cup semi-final – Ramsey, Bobby Robson and Gareth Southgate – all ended up knighted. It is not only his German passport that suggests he need not save a date in his diary for a trip to Buckingham Palace.

“Do you use Donald Trump as your witness for the case? Just asking. I view them in the same way, we were too passive, got too passive, if you’re asking if I regret my decision, then no, I don’t regret my decisions, I felt we became too passive,” Tuchel said when questioned on Trump’s criticism, with the US President stating that the German coach might have “made a mistake when they made him [Kane] a defensive player” in the closing stages of the Argentina match.

“The momentum switches in the match, I tried to help my team, I tried to support, I was trusting my instincts, my intuition, my experience, my competitiveness. I took the decision in order to help the team get the result. We didn’t get the result, of course, I take the responsibility.

“The decisions are made under stress. The decisions are made in-game, in-life coaching, I would regret it if I didn’t help, if I didn’t react, but I have no regrets over my decisions.”

France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Lacroix, T. Hernandez; Kone, Zaire-Emery; Cherki, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.

England XI: Pickford; Spence, Chalobah, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Mainoo; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

France are without William Saliba due to a back injury sustained in the semi-final – Maxence Lacroix will likely deputise again. Back-up keeper Brice Samba is also absent.

For England, there are doubts over Reece James’ fitness again after he was withdrawn following treatment against Argentina, while Jordan Henderson is also out with his broken wrist. Jarell Quansah is available again after his two-match suspension, while Tuchel will likely give those who haven’t played any minutes a World Cup run-out – like Mainoo and Chalobah. Jude Bellingham may wind up with a suspension for slapping Valentin Barco.

Welcome to the Independent’s coverage of the Fifa World Cup 2026 bronze final: England v France.

Thomas Tuchel has been hammered for his tactics in the devastating semi-final defeat to Argentina.

Now, a chance to salvage some credit from a bitter end to a wild ride this summer.

But France are bidding farewell to Didier Deschamps after 14 years in charge. Stick with us for all the build-up and team news in Miami.