England's World Cup campaign is not quite over, despite their heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina. Thomas Tuchel's side is set to face France in the third-place play-off on Saturday, 20 July 2026, at 22:00 BST. While the ultimate prize remains out of reach, this fixture presents several compelling reasons for fans to tune in, ranging from individual accolades to a chance at a significant historical achievement for the Three Lions.
One of the most immediate draws for the match is the ongoing race for the Golden Boot. France's captain, Kylian Mbappe, is currently level with Argentina's Lionel Messi as the tournament's joint top scorer, both on eight goals. Although Messi holds a slight edge due to having more assists, goals scored in the third-place play-off count towards the award. This provides Mbappe with a direct opportunity to surpass Messi before the final. England's Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are also still in contention, just two goals behind the leaders, though they would likely need hat-tricks to claim the prize.
Beyond individual honours, the play-off offers England a chance to secure their best World Cup finish in 60 years. A victory over France would mean England's performance in this tournament would only be surpassed by their 1966 triumph. The Three Lions have previously contested two third-place play-offs, losing to hosts Italy in 1990 and to Belgium in 2018. Securing bronze would mark a significant historical achievement for the current squad and provide a positive note to conclude their journey.
The demanding schedule of the expanded World Cup also suggests that both managers might opt to rotate their squads. This could open the door for players who have seen limited action to make their mark. For England, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has yet to feature, could make his World Cup debut, potentially allowing Declan Rice a much-needed rest. Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, who have played sparingly, might also get extended run-outs. Similarly, France's N'Golo Kante, a 2018 World Cup winner, could make his first appearance of the tournament, while Manchester City's Rayan Cherki might receive more playing time.
Finally, for many football enthusiasts in England, this match represents one of the last opportunities to watch competitive football before the domestic season properly gets underway. While the Scottish Premiership kicks off on 31 July and European club competition qualifiers are in progress, the period following the World Cup final often sees a lull in top-tier competitive fixtures in England. The third-place play-off provides one last dose of high-stakes international football before attention turns fully to the upcoming club campaigns.