2026 FIFA World Cup Third-Place Match: Teams, Schedule, Venue & Format
The 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match is the bronze medal game of the first 48-team World Cup, set for Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The two losing semifinalists meet to decide third and fourth place, one day before the Final in New Jersey.
The teams are not yet known. The knockout stage is still in the Round of 32, with the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals to come.
The two teams are confirmed only after the semifinals end on July 15, so the fixture below is listed by bracket position until then.
2026 World Cup Third-Place Match Quick Facts
| Match | Third-place play-off (bronze medal game), Match 103 |
| Date | Saturday, July 18, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 5:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium), Miami Gardens |
| Teams | The two losing semifinalists |
| Format | Single match, extra time and penalties if level |
| Teams confirmed | After the semifinals end July 15 |
| Ticket face value | About $165 to $1,125, plus a 15% fee |
| Day before | The Final, July 19 in New Jersey |
2026 FIFA World Cup Third-Place Match Schedule
The third-place match is played on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with kickoff at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. FIFA uses the tournament name Miami Stadium for Hard Rock Stadium during the World Cup.
| Date | Match | Fixture | Kickoff (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jul 18 | 103 | Loser Match 101 vs Loser Match 102 | 5:00 PM | Miami Stadium (Hard Rock), Miami Gardens |
Hard Rock Stadium seats about 65,000 and hosts seven World Cup matches in total, with the third-place match as its last. The venue has a canopy roof that shades fans while keeping the pitch open.
It is the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and sits roughly 15 miles north of downtown Miami. The Final follows the next day, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How Does the Third-Place Match Work (Format)
The third-place match is a single game. It lasts 90 minutes. If the score is level, the teams play 30 minutes of extra time, then a penalty shootout if still tied. The two teams are the losers of the semifinals on July 14 and 15: the loser in Dallas faces the loser in Atlanta.
The winner is officially the third-best team at the tournament and receives bronze medals. Third place also earns more prize money and FIFA ranking points than fourth, which is why most teams still field strong lineups. Some coaches do rotate tired or injured players, since both sides arrive days after losing a semifinal.
How Teams Reach the Third-Place Match
The two teams are still a long way off, since the semifinals are not played until July 14 and 15. To reach this match, a team must win four knockout rounds to make the semifinals, then lose there.
So far in the Round of 32, Canada, Brazil, Paraguay, Morocco and Norway have advanced, while South Africa, Germany, Netherlands, Japan and Ivory Coast are out. The rest of the Round of 32 runs through July 3 and still includes Argentina, Spain, France, England, Portugal, Mexico and the United States. The two third-place finalists are confirmed once the semifinals end on July 15.
Third-Place Match History and Importance
The World Cup has held a third-place match at every tournament since 1954. It is usually open and high-scoring, with at least two goals in every edition for more than 30 years. Strikers chasing the Golden Boot have often used it to add goals.
Recent winners are Croatia (2022), Belgium (2018), Netherlands (2014) and Germany (2010 and 2006). The match also gives smaller nations a stage for a historic finish and lets host nations thank their fans. Critics argue motivation can dip after a semifinal loss, but the bronze medal, prize money and ranking points keep it competitive.
Third-Place Match Tickets and Prices
FIFA sells official tickets through FIFA.com/tickets, with remaining seats moving through the FIFA Resale Marketplace. The third-place match is one of the cheaper knockout tickets, with face values from about $165 to $1,125, plus a 15% service fee. FIFA uses dynamic pricing, so prices shift with demand and the teams involved.
Seat categories reflect how high a seat sits rather than how close it is to the field, with Category 4 in the upper corners the cheapest. A $60 Supporter Entry Tier exists for every match but is allocated through national federations, not sold to the public. Tickets are non-refundable and tied to a buyer’s ID.
For prices by round, category and host city, see the full World Cup 2026 ticket prices guide.
2026 FIFA World Cup Third-Place Match FAQ
When is the 2026 World Cup third-place match?
Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, one day before the Final.
Which teams play in the third-place match?
The two losing semifinalists from the July 14 and 15 matches in Dallas and Atlanta. They are confirmed after the semifinals end on July 15.
What happens if the third-place match is a draw?
It goes to 30 minutes of extra time, then a penalty shootout if still level. There are no replays.
How much do third-place match tickets cost?
Face values run from about $165 to $1,125, plus a 15% fee. It is usually the most affordable knockout ticket after the Round of 32.
What does the winner get?
Bronze medals, official recognition as the third-best team, plus more prize money and FIFA ranking points than the fourth-place team.
Who won recent World Cup third-place matches?
Croatia (2022), Belgium (2018), Netherlands (2014) and Germany (2010 and 2006).
Where is the third-place match played?
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, known as Miami Stadium during the tournament. It seats about 65,000.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match closes the tournament’s bronze medal chapter on Saturday, July 18 in Miami, one day before the Final.
The two beaten semifinalists meet to decide third and fourth, with the teams confirmed after the semifinals on July 15.
For the winner, it is a chance to leave the biggest World Cup ever on a high, with a medal and a podium finish.
