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

France and England meet in the World Cup 3rd Place Final, a high‑stakes playoff between two of the tournament’s strongest sides. Both topped their groups earlier in the competition: France finished 1st in Group I with 9 points from 3 matches and a +8 goal difference (10 scored, 2 conceded), while England came 1st in Group L with 7 points, scoring 6 and conceding just 2. This bronze-medal clash brings together two squads packed with elite talent and plenty of recent World Cup pedigree.

Standings and recent records underline just how evenly matched this game is. France’s league form string of LWWWW and England’s LWWWW show both have been winning consistently, with only a single recent defeat each. The matchup is further framed by their World Cup history: France edged England 2–1 in the 2022 Quarter-finals and also have a win and a draw in the last three competitive and friendly meetings. With no official team sheets yet, attention turns to predicted lineups and how each coach might approach this 3rd Place Final.

Predicted lineups point to France leaning on the firepower of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, while England will build around Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. With both sides typically using an attacking-minded shape and boasting strong recent scoring numbers (France averaging around 2.3 goals per match in this World Cup run, England around 2.0), this has all the ingredients of an open, high‑quality contest for the neutral.

France Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for France ahead of this fixture. No significant absences reported. That gives the coach a full 26‑man squad to choose from, including all the key attacking stars who have driven their deep run in the tournament. Their group stage dominance and subsequent knockout performances have been built on a balance of solid defensive structure and explosive transition play.

France’s recent league form of WWWWWL and a strong defensive record (only 4 goals conceded in 7 World Cup matches in the wider sample) suggest an expected approach based on a compact back line, double pivot protection, and high‑speed wide attacks. With the team having consistently lined up in an attacking-minded shape and using a 4-2-3-1 in all seven recorded World Cup matches in this campaign, the expectation is that they will again lean on a similar structure, even if the exact starting lineup is rotated slightly for this 3rd Place Final.

France Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: J. Koundé, W. Saliba, D. Upamecano, T. Hernández
MF: N. Kanté, A. Tchouaméni, A. Rabiot, O. Dembélé, M. Olise
FW: Kylian Mbappé
(4-2-3-1)

This predicted starting lineup for France is built around their most productive World Cup performers. Kylian Mbappé is the standout figure: 8 goals and 3 assists across 7 appearances, with 30 shots (19 on target) and a rating close to 8.0 underline his status as the tournament’s most dangerous attacker. He is expected to spearhead the attack, either as a central forward or drifting from the left, constantly threatening England’s back line with runs in behind and 1v1 dribbles.

Supporting Mbappé, O. Dembélé has been one of France’s most complete wide playmakers, contributing 5 goals and 2 assists, 13 shots, and 16 key passes from midfield/wing positions. His ability to attack full-backs and deliver into the box will be crucial. On the opposite side, M. Olise leads the assist charts with 5 assists and has added control and creativity, completing a high volume of passes at strong accuracy and winning a large share of his duels. Behind them, the trio of N. Kanté, A. Tchouaméni, and A. Rabiot offers ball-winning, progression, and balance, while a back four of J. Koundé, W. Saliba, D. Upamecano, and T. Hernández in front of M. Maignan provides both aerial strength and pace to defend against England’s counter-attacks.

England Team News & Expected Lineups Today

England also come into this 3rd Place Final without any officially listed injuries or suspensions. No significant absences reported. That means the coach can call upon a full squad including key figures from front to back. England’s league form string WDWWWWL and their underlying numbers (14 goals scored and 8 conceded in this World Cup run) point to a side that can both hurt opponents in attack and be vulnerable in certain defensive phases.

With lineups today expected to remain close to the strongest XI, England are likely to continue with an attacking-minded structure that has alternated between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-4-1 across their seven World Cup fixtures. The presence of creative wide players like B. Saka and A. Gordon, plus the goal threat of H. Kane and late runs from J. Bellingham, shapes a side that can overload central areas and then quickly switch to the flanks. Declan Rice remains the key defensive midfielder, even as his disciplinary record (2 yellow cards and a red card listed in the wider red card data) underlines how combative his role is.

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, A. Gordon, B. Saka, E. Eze
FW: H. Kane

This England predicted lineup is anchored by J. Pickford in goal and a back four that mixes physicality and ball-playing ability: R. James offers attacking thrust from right-back, J. Stones and M. Guéhi provide composure and aerial strength centrally, while D. Burn gives height and defensive solidity on the left. In midfield, D. Rice is the screening presence, having played 6 matches with strong passing accuracy and 15 key passes, indicating his importance in both build-up and defensive transitions.

Ahead of him, J. Bellingham has been one of the tournament’s standout midfielders: 6 goals and 1 assist, 15 shots (11 on target), plus 14 tackles and 3 interceptions show his all‑action influence. On the flanks, A. Gordon (1 goal, 3 assists) and B. Saka (3 assists) provide pace, dribbling, and end product, with both ranking among the top assist providers. H. Kane leads the line with 6 goals and 1 assist from 7 appearances, combining penalty-box finishing with link play. E. Eze is projected to add extra creativity between the lines, connecting midfield to attack and giving England another ball-carrier who can commit France’s central defenders.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions officially listed for either side, squad depth should be at maximum for this World Cup 3rd Place Final. That raises the tactical stakes: both coaches can adjust in-game with high-quality options from the bench rather than being forced into compromises by absences.

France Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

England Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

Tactically, this matchup looks like a battle between France’s explosive wide and transition play and England’s structured attacking unit built around central overloads and late runs from midfield. France, who have used an attacking-minded 4-2-3-1 throughout this World Cup run, are likely to press selectively, keeping a compact defensive block and springing forward through Mbappé, Dembélé, and Olise. With France’s overall comparison index leading 61.3 vs 38.8, and a defensive index advantage of 67 vs 33, stats suggest they hold a slight edge in solidity without the ball.

England, by contrast, match France on the form index (50 vs 50) and attacking index (50 vs 50), indicating similar offensive output. Their Poisson index is close as well, 53 vs 47 in France’s favour, underlining the fine margins expected. The key positional duel will likely be Mbappé attacking the channel between England’s left-back D. Burn and left-sided centre-back, where his pace and dribbling can exploit any lack of recovery speed. On the other side, B. Saka and A. Gordon will test France’s full-backs, particularly T. Hernández, who often pushes high and can leave space behind. In central zones, the confrontation between J. Bellingham’s forward surges and the French double pivot of Kanté and Tchouaméni will be decisive in controlling territory and second balls.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a very tight contest, but with a small edge to France. The match outcome probabilities give France around a 45% chance to win in regular time, the draw also at 45%, and England at 10%. The comparison model heavily favours France in head-to-head index (88 vs 13) and gives them the advantage in defensive metrics, while attacking indices are level. Combined with France’s more clinical scoring numbers (16 goals in 7 matches in the wider tournament sample) and Mbappé’s individual form, the balance tilts slightly towards the reigning attacking powerhouse.

Given the predictions block advises a “Double chance: France or draw” and highlights “Win or draw” for France, a conservative expectation is that France avoid defeat, with a narrow margin if they do win. The goals fields are not explicit scorelines, but the emphasis on under 2.5 for both sides suggests a relatively controlled, not overly high-scoring affair. Factoring in both teams’ recent records and the mental dynamics of a 3rd Place Final, France look marginally better placed to edge it in regular time or at least secure a draw within 90 minutes.

Predicted Outcome: France 1–1 England (France to take bronze 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: Local sports channel / streaming platform (check regional listings)
• UK: National sports broadcaster or official World Cup streaming service
• USA / North America: Major sports network and affiliated streaming apps
• South America: Regional sports channels with World Cup rights
• MENA: Pan-regional sports network and official digital platforms