France vs England – Prediction, where to watch, kick-off time and line-ups 18-07

France and England meet in the third-place final of the World Cup 2026. The match takes place this Saturday, 18 July at 10 PM (BST).

After the disappointment of their semi-final defeats, both sides will be looking to end their campaigns on a high note by securing the bronze medal. With individual honours like the Golden Boot still up for grabs, our betting tips for France vs. England suggest a competitive encounter.

Discover what our experts are predicting for France vs. England, as well as the potential player appearances for this encounter.

France vs. England - Head-to-head record

France and England share a notable football rivalry, with recent encounters offering insight into the dynamic between these two national teams. These two formidable sides have met three times in recent history (over the past 11 years).

In these three previous fixtures, France holds a clear advantage over their rivals. Les Bleus have secured two significant victories, while England won once, 2-0, in 2015.

The most recent clash saw a 2-1 French victory in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. Before that, France emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline in a 2017 friendly game. England will undoubtedly be motivated to reverse this trend against their rivals in the upcoming France vs. England encounter.

France - Looking to end on a high

After their semi-final heartbreak against Spain, how will France approach the third-place play-off? We will dive into their current form and tactical setup for this encounter. We will also provide insights into the expected France vs. England line-ups as they look to finish the tournament on a positive note.

Recent form

France came into the semi-finals with a perfect World Cup record, winning their first six matches. Their journey featured dominant victories, where they scored 16 goals while conceding just twice before the penultimate round. However, their impressive run was halted by a 2-0 loss to Spain, ending their title hopes.

The French side possesses incredible firepower, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé, who has been sensational with eight goals and three assists. He remains a strong contender for the Golden Boot. Ousmane Dembélé has also been a constant threat, finding the back of the net five times, while Michael Olise has provided five assists.

France will have to play against England without Saliba and Samba. Regardless, their overall depth suggests they will be determined to bounce back and secure the bronze medal.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for France

Maignan; L. Hernández, Konaté, T. Hernández, Gusto; Thuram, Cherki, Kanté, Akliouche, Zaire-Emery; Mbappé.

Manager: Didier Deschamps.

England - Hoping to end on a high

Let’s analyse England’s current situation. We will look at the team’s recent form, their expectations for this match, and the key players to watch.

Recent form

England’s World Cup journey saw solid progress, culminating in a 2-1 semi-final defeat against Argentina. Prior to this, the Three Lions built strong momentum, achieving knockout stage victories over Congo DR, Mexico, and Norway. This showcased their capability to win crucial matches throughout the tournament.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been key offensively, each scoring six goals. Their impressive form keeps them in the Golden Boot race, adding motivation for this final game. Despite their offensive strengths, England’s defence has conceded nine goals in the World Cup, highlighting some vulnerability.

Securing third place would mark their best World Cup performance since 1966, a powerful incentive for the team. Without Livramento and Henderson, and with James’ availability doubtful, this won’t be the easiest feat for the Three Lions.

Results of the last five matches

Probable line-up for England

Pickford; O’Reilly, Guehi, Konsah, Quansah; Rashford, Madueke, Mainoo, Bellingham, Eze; Kane.

Manager: Thomas Tuchel.

France vs. England - Stats

• France have won six of their seven matches at this World Cup, averaging 2.28 goals per game.
• England have lost just one of their seven tournament fixtures, finding the back of the net in six of them.
• Kylian Mbappé has been directly involved in an impressive 69% of France’s goals in the competition.
• Defensively, France have been solid, conceding an average of just 0.57 goals per match.
• Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been clinical, scoring all 12 of England’s tournament goals.

Predictions for France vs. England - Les Bleus to Prevail

France, with Kylian Mbappé spearheading their formidable attack, will aim to bounce back strongly after their semi-final exit. Their offensive power suggests they could take an early advantage, making “France to win at Half Time" a compelling betting opportunity.

England also possess significant attacking talent, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham both keen to secure the Golden Boot. This motivation should create an open match, and therefore, seeing “Over 0.5 Goals in the first half" appears highly probable.

Considering France"s superior defensive record throughout the tournament and their recent dominance in head-to-head encounters, our main prediction is for France to secure a victory. Les Bleus have the quality to control the game and ultimately claim the bronze medal.

France x England
Tip	Tip	Best Odd
Money Line	France to be winning at half-time	at BetMGM
Over/Under	Over 0.5 goals in the first half	at BetMGM

The odds mentioned were collected at the time of writing this prediction and are subject to change. Always check the bookmaker"s site for up-to-date information.

Best markets to bet on France vs. England

Discover more betting tips for France vs. England in this exciting third-place play-off. We have analysed the markets for valuable options.

🔥 Double Chance & Total Goals: France or England & Over 2.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM

Both teams want to finish strongly, with attackers seeking individual honours. A draw is improbable, suggesting either side could win with plenty of goals.

🔥 Total Goals (1st Half): Over 1.5 - 0.00 at BetMGM

The Golden Boot race could spark an open, attacking first half. Expect early chances and a high-scoring opening period.

Where to watch France vs. England?

Here is where to watch France vs. England live:

• TV: BBC Sport (Gbr), BBC One (Gbr), BBC RED Button (Gbr)
• Streaming: BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC iPlayer app (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr)

France vs. England - Match details

Check out the match details:

• Match: France vs. England
• Competition: World Cup 2026
• Date: 18/07/2026
• Kick-off: 10 PM (BST)
• Broadcast: BBC iPlayer app (Gbr), BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC One (Gbr), BBC RED Button (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr), BBC Sport (Gbr)

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