France vs England Predicted Lineups for World Cup 3rd Place Final

France and England meet in the World Cup 3rd Place Final, a heavyweight clash between two sides who have been among the most consistent performers of the tournament. Both topped their groups – France finished 1st in Group I with 9 points from 3 matches and a goal difference of +8 (10 scored, 2 conceded), while England claimed 1st place in Group L with 7 points, scoring 6 and conceding just 2. This playoff for bronze still carries real prestige, and both managers are expected to field strong predicted lineups rather than heavy rotation.

France arrive with a perfect group-stage record and a strong overall run in the competition. Their league form string reads LWWWW, indicating one setback followed by four straight victories, underpinned by a potent attack and a tight defensive unit. England’s league form is identical – LWWWW – highlighting just how evenly matched these sides are in terms of recent results. With no official lineups yet available, attention turns to the most likely starting lineup and how the star names will be deployed.

Prediction models give France a slight edge: the outcome probabilities suggest a 45% chance of a France win, 45% for a draw, and just 10% for an England victory in regular time. That underpins the expectation that France will be marginal favourites, but England’s attacking quality – led by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane – ensures this 3rd Place Final should be highly competitive. The predicted lineups point towards both coaches sticking close to the core players who have carried them this far.

France Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no confirmed injury or suspension issues listed for France ahead of this fixture. With no significant absences reported, the coach has the luxury of choosing from a full-strength squad that has blended a solid defensive base with devastating transition play. Given their strong run and the importance of finishing on the podium, an expected near full‑strength side is likely, rather than wholesale changes.

France’s recent league record in this World Cup phase has been built on control and efficiency. They have scored freely – averaging more than two goals per match across their run – and the presence of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, both among the tournament’s top scorers, means the attacking core of any expected lineup is virtually locked in. Behind them, a stable defensive group and a balanced midfield should again provide the platform for quick, vertical attacks.

France Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: J. Koundé, W. Saliba, D. Upamecano, T. Hernández
MF: A. Tchouaméni, A. Rabiot, N. Kanté, O. Dembélé, M. Olise
FW: Kylian Mbappé

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on France’s most productive players in the final third. Mbappé is the standout star of the tournament with 8 goals and 3 assists, operating as the primary attacking reference and constant threat in behind. His shot volume (30 attempts, 19 on target) and chance creation underline why the attack will be built around him again in the 3rd Place Final. With him as the central forward in this setup, France can threaten both in transition and in more sustained possession.

Behind Mbappé, O. Dembélé and M. Olise provide creativity and ball progression from the wide and half‑spaces. Dembélé has delivered 5 goals and 2 assists with 16 key passes, making him a dual scoring and creative outlet who can isolate full‑backs and drive at the England defence. Olise leads the entire World Cup in assists with 5, adding 13 key passes and an impressive passing accuracy of 86%. His ability to drift inside and link with Mbappé and Dembélé is central to France’s chance creation. In midfield, the expected trio of A. Tchouaméni, A. Rabiot and N. Kanté balances ball‑winning with distribution, screening the centre‑backs W. Saliba and D. Upamecano, while T. Hernández and J. Koundé provide width and overlapping support from full‑back.

England Team News & Expected Lineups Today

As with France, there are no listed injuries or suspensions for England going into this match. No significant absences reported means the manager can select from a complete 26‑man squad, allowing him to name one of the strongest possible lineups today despite the quick turnaround from the semi‑final. Given the stature of the opponent and the desire to leave the World Cup with a medal, a largely first‑choice side is expected.

England’s league form line of LWWWW mirrors France’s, with 5 wins from 7 matches in this World Cup run and a solid goal profile: 14 scored and 8 conceded across the tournament segment detailed. Their typical tactical approach has alternated between a compact double pivot and a slightly more advanced midfield line, but the core remains the same: Declan Rice anchoring, Jude Bellingham driving forward, and Harry Kane leading the line. With players like Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon among the top assist providers, the predicted lineups today are likely to feature plenty of pace and directness in the wide areas.

England Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: J. Pickford
DF: R. James, J. Stones, M. Guéhi, D. Burn
MF: D. Rice, J. Bellingham, K. Mainoo, A. Gordon, B. Saka
FW: H. Kane

This expected starting lineup is built around England’s main statistical leaders. Jude Bellingham has been one of the tournament’s outstanding midfielders, with 6 goals and 1 assist and a rating above 7.7, combining late runs into the box with ball‑carrying and pressing. Ahead of him, Harry Kane has matched that scoring output with 6 goals and 1 assist, remaining the penalty‑box focal point and link player. Their partnership – Bellingham attacking the half‑spaces off Kane’s movement – is England’s primary route to goal.

On the flanks, A. Gordon and B. Saka are both among the top assist providers. Gordon has 3 assists and 1 goal, plus 6 key passes and 25 dribble attempts, reflecting his direct style and willingness to attack full‑backs. Saka also has 3 assists, with 5 key passes and strong duel numbers, and offers a reliable outlet cutting inside from the right. Behind them, D. Rice provides the defensive screen, ranking highly for passes (240 with 91% accuracy) and contributing 2 yellow cards and a red in the tournament overall, underlining his aggressive edge in midfield. K. Mainoo is a logical partner for Rice and Bellingham, giving England an extra ball‑playing presence between the lines. At the back, J. Stones and M. Guéhi form a stable central pairing, flanked by R. James and D. Burn, while J. Pickford remains the clear first‑choice goalkeeper.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no recorded injuries or suspensions for either side, this 3rd Place Final is set up as a near‑ideal tactical contest between two full‑strength squads. The absence of enforced changes means both managers can prioritise continuity and pick their strongest available teams, increasing the likelihood that the predicted lineups will closely resemble the actual starting elevens.

France Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

England Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

Tactically, this matchup pits two attack‑minded shapes against each other, each built around a world‑class forward and an elite all‑action midfielder. France’s expected setup places Mbappé as the central spearhead, supported by Dembélé and Olise from wide areas. That front line will look to exploit England’s full‑backs, particularly in transitions when Rice and the centre‑backs are exposed. With France’s goal timings heavily weighted towards the second half – especially between minutes 61–75 – their ability to maintain tempo and introduce fresh attacking legs could be decisive against an England side that has occasionally conceded late.

England, by contrast, will look to control central spaces through Rice, Bellingham and Mainoo, using Bellingham’s surges and Kane’s movement to disrupt France’s double pivot and centre‑backs. The wide battle between Gordon and Saka versus Hernández and Koundé is crucial: if England’s wingers can pin back the French full‑backs, it will limit Dembélé and Olise’s freedom to push high. France’s defensive index in recent games has been slightly stronger, but England’s offensive numbers are comparable, and their ability to score in clusters – particularly around the end of the first half and early in the second – suggests momentum swings are likely. Overall, the tactical balance points towards a tight, high‑quality encounter where individual brilliance from Mbappé, Bellingham or Kane could decide the outcome.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest France hold a marginal advantage in this World Cup 3rd Place Final. Their overall comparison index leads England 61.3 to 38.8, and the Poisson index is narrowly in France’s favour at 53 to 47. The head‑to‑head comparison index is even more lopsided, 88 to 13 in favour of France, reflecting their recent edge in direct meetings, including the 2–1 World Cup Quarter-finals victory in 2022. Both teams share identical recent form, but France’s defensive metrics are slightly stronger, and their attacking ceiling with Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise gives them a higher probability of creating clear chances.

The outcome probabilities give France a 45% chance of winning in regular time, with a 45% chance of a draw and just 10% for an England victory. With the goals fields in the prediction model marked as under 2.5 for both sides, the expectation is for a relatively tight scoreline rather than a high‑scoring shootout. Factoring in squad strength, form, and the absence of significant absences on either side, France are favoured to edge a close contest, potentially requiring extra time if England can keep Mbappé relatively quiet over the first 90 minutes.

Predicted Outcome: France 1–1 England (France to prevail after extra time or on penalties)

How to Watch France vs England Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: To be confirmed by local sports broadcasters
• UK: To be confirmed by national football rights holders
• USA / North America: To be confirmed by regional sports networks and streaming platforms
• South America: To be confirmed by continental football broadcasters
• MENA: To be confirmed by regional sports channels and streaming services