France is ready to face England for bronze in the 2026 World Cup. The team has dominated their opponents in the group stage, winning six consecutive matches and scoring 16 goals. Kylian Mbappé, in the running for the Golden Boot, has scored eight goals in the tournament.
What happened ?
France dominated their opponents in the group stage, beating Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0), and Norway (4-1). The entry into the knockout stage did not slow down this dynamic. Sweden was swept 3-0 in the round of 16, before France showed a more pragmatic face against Paraguay (1-0) and Morocco (2-0) in the eighth and quarterfinals.
Why it matters for France ?
France remains the team with the most goals scored in the competition with 16 realizations in seven matches, including eight for the only Mbappé. Three clean sheets in the last five matches confirm that the defense, despite the absence of Saliba, has been performing well until the semifinals.
What comes next ?
France will face England at the Hard Rock Stadium for the third-place match of the 2026 World Cup. Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane, both in the running for the Golden Boot, give this bronze match a rare individual dimension for the World Cup bettors.
France followed a radically different path to this bronze match. Where France dominated, the Three Lions survived. Their knockout stage campaign is a succession of upsets: a 2-1 win over the DR Congo thanks to a double from Kane in the second half, a heroic qualification to Mexico in a numerical inferiority after Quansah's expulsion (3-2), and a necessary extension against Norway to access the semifinals.
The semifinal against Argentina exposed the main English vulnerability. After Anthony Gordon's opening goal (55th), England receded to concede two goals in the last six minutes against Argentina.
France recently faced Morocco and won the match 2-0 (2026-07-09). The Blues are currently achieving an excellent World Cup run, with five consecutive wins and no goals conceded in the last five matches. France's next match will be against England at the Hard Rock Stadium (2026-07-18).
