France vs England Predicted Lineups for World Cup 3rd Place Final

France and England meet in the World Cup 3rd Place Final, a heavyweight clash between two European powers looking to finish the tournament on a high. Both sides topped their respective groups earlier in the competition: France finished 1st in Group I with 9 points from 3 matches, scoring 10 and conceding just 2, while England took 1st place in Group L with 7 points, 6 goals scored and 2 conceded. That underlying strength on both sides of the ball sets up a finely balanced encounter where predicted lineups and tactical choices could decide who leaves with a medal.

France arrive with an almost perfect group-stage record and a strong overall form line of LWWWW in their group campaign, underpinned by a powerful attack and a tight defense. England’s group form string is identical at LWWWW, reflecting one slip but generally dominant performances. With no official starting lineup yet available, this preview focuses on analytically derived predicted lineups, using squad profiles and key player statistics to outline the most likely starting XI for each side.

Prediction models give France a narrow edge: the outcome probabilities sit at 45% for a France win, 45% for a draw, and 10% for an England victory. That suggests a match where France are slight favorites but extra time or penalties are a real possibility. With recent World Cup history between these nations – including France’s 2–1 win over England in the 2022 quarter-final – every selection decision in the expected starting lineup will be under the microscope.

France Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions affecting France ahead of this 3rd Place Final, so the manager should have the full tournament squad at his disposal. That gives him the flexibility to balance continuity with rotation after a long World Cup run. Given their strong group performance and overall World Cup form of WWWWWL in the wider competition record, a largely first-choice side is still expected, with perhaps one or two fresh legs introduced.

Tactically, France have typically operated with an attacking-minded shape that allows Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé to exploit space in transition, supported by creative midfielders such as M. Olise. With a defensive unit built around W. Saliba and D. Upamecano, they can afford to keep a relatively high line and compress the pitch. The expected lineup today should again emphasize pace and direct threat in wide and central channels, looking to stretch England’s back line.

France Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: J. Koundé, W. Saliba, D. Upamecano, T. Hernández
MF: A. Tchouaméni, A. Rabiot, N. Kanté, M. Olise, O. Dembélé
FW: Kylian Mbappé

This predicted lineup is built around France’s core tournament performers. Up front, Kylian Mbappé is the undisputed focal point: he has 8 goals and 3 assists in this World Cup, with 30 shots and 19 on target, underlining his status as the most dangerous attacker on the pitch. His ability to attack from the left half-space or centrally means England’s central defenders and holding midfielder will constantly be forced into difficult decisions.

In the wide and advanced midfield roles, O. Dembélé and M. Olise provide creativity and ball progression. Dembélé has delivered 5 goals and 2 assists with 13 shots and 8 on target, plus 16 key passes, making him both a scoring and playmaking threat. Olise leads the entire tournament in assists with 5, adding 13 key passes and a high passing accuracy of 86%. With A. Tchouaméni and A. Rabiot (alongside N. Kanté) expected to anchor central zones, France can dominate second balls and launch quick counters, while J. Koundé and T. Hernández offer width and overlapping options from full-back.

England Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Like France, England have no officially listed injuries or suspensions for this fixture, meaning the manager can select from a full 26-man squad. Their group campaign of LWWWW in the standings context shows that they recovered well from an early setback and have generally been efficient at both ends. For lineups today, the key question is how much rotation will be used after a long tournament, but given the stakes of a World Cup medal, the core stars should still start.

England have alternated between an attacking approach and a more controlled, possession-based game, often using a double pivot to protect the back four. With creative and goalscoring threats such as J. Bellingham, H. Kane, A. Gordon and B. Saka, they can hurt France in transition and in structured attacks. The expected lineup today is likely to retain a strong spine while possibly freshening up one or two positions in defense or wide midfield.

England Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: J. Pickford
DF: R. James, J. Stones, M. Guéhi, D. Burn
MF: D. Rice, J. Bellingham, K. Mainoo, A. Gordon, B. Saka
FW: H. Kane

England’s predicted starting lineup revolves around the central axis of J. Pickford in goal, J. Stones at the back, D. Rice in midfield, and H. Kane leading the line. Kane has been prolific again with 6 goals and 1 assist, taking 18 shots with 12 on target. His ability to drop deep and link play will be crucial in drawing France’s center-backs out of position and creating lanes for runners like Bellingham, Gordon and Saka.

J. Bellingham has been one of the standout midfielders of the tournament: 6 goals and 1 assist, 223 passes with 8 key passes, and a strong defensive contribution with 14 tackles and 3 interceptions. He will be tasked with breaking France’s lines and arriving late in the box. Out wide, A. Gordon (1 goal, 3 assists) and B. Saka (3 assists) add direct running and creativity; Gordon’s 25 dribble attempts and Saka’s blend of work rate and end product make them key matchups against France’s full-backs. Behind them, D. Rice provides balance and ball circulation, though his disciplinary record (2 yellow cards and also appearing in the red-card statistics) means he must manage his aggression carefully in midfield duels.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no officially listed injuries or suspensions for either side, the 3rd Place Final should feature close to full-strength squads. That raises the overall quality and intensity of the contest, with both managers able to lean on their star names and preferred structures rather than being forced into makeshift solutions.

France Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

England Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, this is a clash between two attack-minded setups built around elite forwards. France’s predicted front unit of Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise offers devastating pace and one‑v‑one ability, particularly in transition. England’s back four, with J. Stones and M. Guéhi centrally and R. James and D. Burn as full-backs, will need to manage large spaces, especially when England push their own wide players high. The direct duel between Mbappé and the right-sided England defender, plus Dembélé against the left-back, looks decisive: if France can isolate these wingers, England’s defensive structure could be stretched.

In midfield, the battle between A. Tchouaméni, N. Kanté and A. Rabiot against J. Bellingham, D. Rice and K. Mainoo will shape the rhythm. France’s trio is built to win duels and spring counters, while England’s unit mixes control, vertical runs and protection. Bellingham’s forward surges must be tracked closely by Kanté and Tchouaméni; if he can break lines, he will create overloads around H. Kane, who excels at combining with runners. Out wide, A. Gordon and B. Saka will test France’s full-backs defensively, but they will also need to track back against overlapping runs from J. Koundé and T. Hernández. With both sides capable of scoring in bursts – each averaging around 2 goals per game in their broader World Cup records – this tactical battle is likely to hinge on who controls transitions and protects the space in front of their back four more effectively.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a very tight contest, but the prediction models marginally favor France. The win probabilities sit at 45% for France, 45% for a draw and 10% for England, with France also holding the edge in the overall comparison index and historical head-to-head data. France’s attacking trio of Mbappé, Dembélé and Olise has been slightly more explosive than England’s, and their defensive numbers are a touch stronger, conceding fewer goals on average.

England, however, have enough firepower through Kane and Bellingham to keep this close, and their own form line is nearly as impressive. With both teams likely to create chances and the 3rd Place Final often producing open games, a narrow France win in regular time or after a draw feels the most plausible scenario. Given the conservative goal projection in the prediction advice (leaning towards fewer than three goals), a tight margin is expected.

Predicted Outcome: France 1–1 England (France to prevail after extra time or penalties)

How to Watch France vs England Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform
• UK: National football rights holder / major sports channel
• USA / North America: Regional soccer network or streaming service
• South America: Continental sports broadcaster
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network