France v England – predictions and odds – 2026 World Cup (18 July 2026)

France and England meet in Miami in the third-place play-off at the 2026 World Cup, with both sides looking to finish the tournament on a positive note after painful semi-final defeats. These matches are often more open than knockout ties, as the pressure is lower and teams tend to play with greater freedom. I expect a lively contest with chances at both ends.

France were second best against Spain in their semi-final and struggled to impose their usual pace in transition. Even so, they remain one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the competition, with the individual quality to punish any defensive lapse. When the game becomes stretched, France are at their best, and that could be a key factor here.

England will be disappointed after surrendering their lead against Argentina, particularly having dropped so deep late in the match. Thomas Tuchel’s side still have plenty of quality in forward areas, but their game management came under scrutiny at the worst possible moment. Against a French team built to attack space, another cautious approach could leave them vulnerable.

My view is that this fixture suits France more than England. With less tactical restraint and both teams likely to rotate, France’s pace, depth and one-on-one ability should give them the edge over 90 minutes. England are capable of scoring, but I trust France to create the clearer opportunities and respond better to the disappointment of missing out on the final.