France vs England Predicted Lineups: 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, scoring 10 and conceding just 2, while England claimed 1st in Group L with 7 points, 6 goals for and 2 against. This playoff for bronze still carries huge prestige, and the quality on show means the focus on predicted lineups will be intense.

France arrive with a near-perfect record in this World Cup phase, their league form string reading LWWWW, reflecting a single setback followed by a run of victories. England’s path has been similarly strong, also showing LWWWW in their group-phase form, underlining how little has separated these two over the course of the tournament. With no official team sheets yet, this preview focuses on analytically derived predicted lineups and how the expected starting lineup for each side might shape the tactical battle.

Head-to-head history in recent major tournaments slightly favours France. They edged England 2–1 in the World Cup Quarter-finals in 2022 and have generally had the upper hand in tight knockout contests. With the predictions model giving France a 45% chance to win in regular time, a 45% chance of a draw, and just 10% for England, the market leans towards France or a stalemate. That balance, combined with elite attacking talents like Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, makes this one of the standout fixtures of the World Cup’s final weekend.

France Team News & Expected Lineups Today

France’s squad looks in excellent shape for this 3rd Place Final. There are no listed injuries or suspensions, so the coach is expected to rely on his core group that has delivered a perfect group stage and deep run in the knockouts. With their recent league form at WWWWWWL across the tournament fixtures, France have generally controlled matches, combining a strong defensive structure with devastating transitions led by their star forwards.

Given the stakes and the short turnaround from the semi-final, some rotation is possible, but the expectation is that the key attacking pieces will start. The tactical approach should again be front-foot and aggressive in wide areas, with an expected emphasis on quick service into Mbappé and dynamic support from Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise between the lines. With no significant absences reported, France can field a near full-strength expected lineup.

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, M. Olise, O. Dembélé
FW: Kylian Mbappé

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on France’s most productive and influential players at this World Cup. Mbappé is the tournament’s standout attacker with 8 goals and 3 assists in 7 appearances, averaging 7.96 in performance rating and generating 30 shots, 19 on target. He is the focal point of the attack, expected to operate off the shoulder of England’s centre-backs and exploit space in behind when France break quickly.

Behind him, O. Dembélé has been one of France’s most complete performers, with 5 goals, 2 assists and 16 key passes from midfield-wide areas, plus 13 shots and 8 on target. His ability to carry the ball and combine with Mbappé makes the right side a major threat. M. Olise, the leading assist provider in the World Cup with 5 assists, adds creativity and ball retention, having completed 355 passes at 86% accuracy and contributing 13 key passes. The midfield trio of N. Kanté, A. Tchouaméni and A. Rabiot provides balance, ball-winning and progression, allowing the front line to stay high and aggressive.

Defensively, W. Saliba and D. Upamecano are the likely centre-back pairing from the available pool, protected by a double pivot in front of them. J. Koundé and T. Hernández offer athleticism and width from full-back, crucial to pinning back England’s wingers. With M. Maignan in goal and France’s defensive index superior in the comparison model (defense index 67 vs 33), this XI is built to control territory while still being lethal on the counter.

England Team News & Expected Lineups Today

England also enter this 3rd Place Final without any officially listed injuries or suspensions, meaning the coach can pick from a full 26-man squad. Their World Cup league form string of WDWWWWL across the broader tournament data reflects a side that has generally found ways to win, even if some performances have been uneven. With a bronze medal on the line, the expectation is for a strong, experienced core in the starting lineup.

With lineups today still to be confirmed, the expected selection will revolve around the spine that has carried England deep into the competition: Jordan Pickford in goal, John Stones at the back, Declan Rice anchoring midfield, and the attacking trio built around Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and one of the wide creators such as Bukayo Saka or Anthony Gordon. Given England’s strong attacking metrics (14 goals across 7 league fixtures in this World Cup run) but slightly more vulnerable defense, the setup is likely to be proactive but with Rice screening transitions.

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 predicted starting lineup is constructed around England’s top scorers and creators in the tournament. J. Bellingham has been outstanding from midfield, scoring 6 goals with 1 assist, and contributing 223 passes at 82% accuracy plus 8 key passes. His ability to arrive late in the box and carry the ball through pressure makes him central to England’s attacking plan. Ahead of him, H. Kane has also scored 6 goals with 1 assist, taking 18 shots (12 on target) and acting as both finisher and facilitator.

On the flanks, A. Gordon and B. Saka are the primary creative outlets. Gordon has 1 goal and 3 assists in 6 appearances, with 6 key passes and 25 dribble attempts, while Saka has 3 assists from just 267 minutes, with 5 key passes and 6 successful dribbles. Their pace and directness will test France’s full-backs. D. Rice anchors midfield, having completed 240 passes at 91% accuracy with 15 key passes and strong defensive numbers, though he also features among the top yellow and red card listings, underlining his combative style. At the back, J. Stones partners M. Guéhi, with R. James and D. Burn offering balance between defensive solidity and overlapping support.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no listed injuries or suspensions for either side, the 3rd Place Final should showcase the full depth of both squads. That raises the overall intensity and tactical complexity of the game, as both coaches can adjust their plans with a complete bench of options for in-game changes.

France Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

England Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The tactical battle is likely to revolve around France’s explosive front line against England’s structured but occasionally exposed defensive block. France’s overall comparison index leads 61.3 vs 38.8, and they hold the edge in the defensive index (67 vs 33), while the attack and form indices are evenly matched at 50 vs 50. With Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise all in the predicted XI, France can overload either flank, isolate England’s full-backs, and create one-on-one situations that favour their dribblers. Mbappé’s 29 dribble attempts and 16 key passes highlight his dual threat as a runner and creator.

England, however, have their own weapons. The Poisson index is relatively close (53 vs 47 in France’s favour), suggesting a tight contest in chance creation. Bellingham’s late runs and Kane’s movement between the lines will target the spaces around France’s double pivot. Wide, Saka and Gordon will look to attack the channels behind T. Hernández and J. Koundé, forcing France’s centre-backs to defend wide and opening gaps for cut-backs. Declan Rice’s presence is crucial in transition, both to break up French counters and to start England’s own attacks with quick vertical passes. Discipline will be important: Rice and J. Quansah feature in the top card lists, and any lapse could tilt momentum towards France.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Analysis points to a finely balanced 3rd Place Final, but one that slightly favours France. The predictions model gives France a 45% chance of winning in regular time, with a 45% probability of a draw and just 10% for an England victory. The advisory angle is a double chance on France or draw, reflecting their superior defensive numbers, higher overall comparison index, and the individual brilliance of Mbappé and Dembélé, backed by the tournament’s leading assist provider in Olise.

Both teams have scored freely in this World Cup run, but with the goals fields in the prediction model set conservatively and the advice leaning towards France avoiding defeat, a narrow French win or a draw after a tight 90 minutes looks most plausible. Given France’s edge in head-to-head knockout meetings and their slightly stronger defensive structure, they are marginal favourites to secure the bronze medal.

Predicted Outcome: France 1–1 England
With the win/draw probabilities almost level and no explicit goals projection, a 1–1 draw in regular time aligns with the balanced outlook, leaving extra time or penalties to decide the 3rd Place Final.

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 broadcasters closer to kickoff.
• UK: Coverage expected on major national sports broadcasters and streaming platforms.
• USA / North America: Available via leading sports networks and official World Cup streaming partners.
• South America: Broadcast by regional sports channels with digital streaming options.
• MENA: Shown on primary regional sports networks with live streaming services.