France vs England betting preview
France and England have one last World Cup fixture to negotiate as they meet in the third-place play-off on Saturday, 18 July.
For both teams, this is a match they would rather not be playing. England’s hopes of reaching the final were ended by a late Argentina comeback in a 2-1 defeat, while France were beaten 2-0 by Spain in the other semi-final.
The challenge now is to lift themselves for one final outing and finish the tournament with a win.
France vs England odds
With disappointment hanging over both camps, team selection and motivation could have a major influence on the betting.
Ladbrokes customers can explore the match result, correct score, both teams to score, total goals, cards, corners and Bet Builder markets. There should also be plenty of interest in player betting, particularly with several of the tournament’s leading scorers involved.
Golden Boot race
Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham all still have a chance of ending the World Cup as top goalscorer.
That gives this fixture a clear individual subplot, even if the main prize is no longer available. Kane and Mbappe will naturally feature prominently in the goalscorer odds, while Bellingham’s attacking contributions have made him another serious contender.
Can England respond to semi-final heartbreak?
England were minutes away from the final before Argentina turned the game around, making this a difficult emotional test for Thomas Tuchel’s side.
France will be dealing with their own frustration after being shut out by Spain. Both teams have enough attacking talent to make this an entertaining contest, but the side that recovers quickest from its semi-final defeat may have the edge.
When is France vs England?
France vs England takes place on Saturday, 18 July 2026, with kick-off at 22:00 BST.
The winners will finish third at the 2026 World Cup.
For more tournament coverage, betting previews and the latest markets, visit the Ladbrokes World Cup content hub.
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