2026 FIFA World Cup Third Place Match Result: England 6-4 France
The 2026 FIFA World Cup third place match ended England 6-4 France on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. England claimed its first ever World Cup bronze in a ten goal thriller, the highest scoring third place match in tournament history.
Bukayo Saka scored a hat trick, while Kylian Mbappe struck twice in defeat to seize the Golden Boot lead. France finished fourth in Didier Deschamps’ final match after 14 years in charge, one day before the Final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
2026 World Cup Third Place Match Quick Facts
| Result | England 6-4 France (halftime: England 4-0) |
| Third place | England (first World Cup bronze) |
| Fourth place | France |
| Goals | Rice, Konsa, Saka (3), Bellingham; Mbappe (2), Barcola, Dembele |
| Date | Saturday, July 18, 2026 |
| Venue | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Stadium), Miami Gardens, Florida |
| Match | Third place match (bronze medal game), Match 103 |
| Record | Highest scoring third place match in World Cup history (10 goals) |
| Prize money | $29 million for England, $27 million for France |
| Day after | The Final, Spain vs Argentina, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey |
World Cup Third Place Match Result: England 6-4 France
Both coaches rotated for the bronze final. Thomas Tuchel rested Harry Kane and started Jude Bellingham on the bench, with Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney and Eberechi Eze in attack, while Kylian Mbappe captained a refreshed France side that included Rayan Cherki and Desire Doue.
England led 4-0 at halftime through Declan Rice in the third minute, Ezri Konsa in the 15th and two quick Bukayo Saka goals. France roared back to 4-3 with a Kylian Mbappe double and a Bradley Barcola strike, before Saka completed his hat trick from the penalty spot in the 66th minute. Substitute Jude Bellingham added the sixth in the 90th minute, and Ousmane Dembele’s stoppage time goal closed the scoring at 6-4.
The ten goals made it the highest scoring third place match ever played, beating the nine goal record set when France beat West Germany 6-3 in 1958. England’s win was its first in this fixture at the third attempt, after fourth place finishes in 1990 and 2018.
Mbappe’s double took him to 10 goals for the tournament, two clear of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, and to 22 career World Cup goals, the most in tournament history. Messi gets his final chance to respond in Sunday’s Final.
How England and France Reached the Bronze Final
Spain beat France 2-0 at Dallas Stadium on July 14, with Mikel Oyarzabal converting a first half penalty and Pedro Porro doubling the lead in the 58th minute. England followed a day later, losing 1-2 to Argentina in the other semifinal in Atlanta, where Lautaro Martinez struck a late winner after England had taken the lead.
The winners of those semifinals, Spain and Argentina, contest the Final on Sunday, July 19 in New Jersey.
How the Third Place Match Works (Format)
The third place match is a single game of 90 minutes, with 30 minutes of extra time and then a penalty shootout if the score is level. The winner is officially the third best team at the tournament and receives bronze medals, more prize money and more FIFA ranking points than the fourth place side.
England’s reward is $29 million in prize money against $27 million for France, a $2 million difference on top of the medal and the podium finish.
Third Place Match History and Records
The World Cup has held a third place match at every tournament since 1954, and it is usually the most open game of the knockout rounds. England 6-4 France now tops the list as the highest scoring edition, ahead of France 6-3 West Germany in 1958.
Recent winners are England (2026), Croatia (2022, 2-1 against Morocco), Belgium (2018), Netherlands (2014) and Germany (2010 and 2006). France still holds two bronzes, from 1958 and 1986, but has now finished fourth in this fixture for the second time, after a 2-3 loss to Poland in 1982.
For a full breakdown of what fans paid across the tournament, see the World Cup 2026 ticket prices guide.
2026 FIFA World Cup Third Place Match FAQ
Who won the 2026 World Cup third place match?
England beat France 6-4 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, July 18, 2026 to finish third at the World Cup.
Who scored in England 6-4 France?
For England: Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, Bukayo Saka with a hat trick and Jude Bellingham. For France: Kylian Mbappe twice, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele.
Was it the highest scoring third place match ever?
Yes. The ten goals beat the previous record of nine from France 6-3 West Germany in 1958.
Did Mbappe break the World Cup goal record?
Yes. His two goals took him to 22 career World Cup goals, the most in history, and to 10 for the tournament, two clear of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race.
Is this England’s first World Cup bronze?
Yes. England had lost its two previous third place matches, to Italy in 1990 and Belgium in 2018, before beating France in 2026.
What does England get for finishing third?
Bronze medals, official recognition as the third best team, $29 million in prize money ($2 million more than France in fourth) and extra FIFA ranking points.
Did Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham play?
Harry Kane was rested and did not play. Jude Bellingham came off the bench and scored England’s sixth goal in the 90th minute.
Who plays in the 2026 World Cup Final?
Spain faces Argentina in the Final on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Was it Deschamps’ last match as France coach?
Yes. Didier Deschamps took charge of France for the final time after 14 years, ending with a fourth place finish.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup third place match will be remembered as a classic: England 6-4 France, a Saka hat trick, a first English bronze and a record scoreline for the fixture.
England leaves the biggest World Cup ever with medals and momentum, while attention turns to Sunday’s Final between Spain and Argentina.
