Today's match:
Live updates:
01:10 CET - Well, if that doesn't whet your appetite for the World Cup final later today here in Europe, then we are not sure what will.
It would be a modern miracle if we got a scoreline of that magnitude between Argentina and Spain, but we will be here nonetheless for all the build-up.
In the meantime, there is plenty to satisfy you on our site already, so make sure to check it out.
01:01 CET - It's 6-4, we repeat, 6-4! As France push forward, Jude Bellingham pounces to practically walk the ball into the net and seal the win for England in what was the stupidest, most entertaining match we've seen at this World Cup, maybe in living memory.
It doesn't count for very much, this game, but that was as fun as it gets. Two teams playing like it's a charity game on the biggest stage of them all.
When does the second set start?
You'll want to read this report.
00:59 CET - You have to laugh... It's 5-4 with two minutes to go as Ousmane Dembele slots home a French counter-attack with aplomb.
00:54 CET - Into seven minutes of added time...
00:51 CET - Bukayo Saka has a World Cup hat-trick as England make it 5-3.
This game has had it all, including a hat-trick, as Saka steps up to convert a penalty in the 87th minute. Surely, England are home and hosed now?
00:43 CET - Jude Bellingham is on for England, and he nearly makes an immediate impact, combining well with Ollie Watkins, only to see Mike Maignan save well. The ball goes straight down the other end, where Michael Olise has a golden opportunity to make it 4-4 in this ludicrous match, but he inexplicably fires wide.
Players down everywhere, and you know it's end-to-end, when the referee is getting his calves massaged for potential cramp.
00:38 CET - Rejoice, everyone, we only have two hydration breaks left at this World Cup. France continue to press forward, looking for a leveller after the interlude as Michael Olise flashes one just past the post.
00:28 CET - The fun continues as centre-half Dayot Upamecano tries his luck from all of 30 yards, and he does make Dean Henderson save it. This is playground stuff on the biggest stage, and Kylian Mbappe scores again to make it 4-3 in this crazy encounter.
He's into double digits at this World Cup and currently holds the outright goals record with 21 - one ahead of Lionel Messi. He still needs another three to match Just Fontaine's incredible feat of 13 at the 1958 World Cup. Don't rule that out just yet...
00:23 CET - Formations are now officially out the window. Both teams seem to be playing four up front, no midfield, and with basketball rules. Shots raining down at both ends, Michael Olise goes close after Ivan Toney forces a save out of Mike Maignan.
It's a bonkers game, this one - it's like watching a 90-minute Nike advert...
00:18 CET - Well, well, well, do we have a game now? Bradley Barcola sprints in behind and applies the finish to make it 4-2 to England. This game could be any scoreline. We've still got 35 minutes to go, and neither side feels like defending.
00:11 CET - France have one back in the 48th minute, and it's their main man, Kylian Mbappe. Slotted in by the familiar Michael Olise, the Real Madrid forward scores his ninth of the tournament, putting him one ahead of Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race. One record already broken tonight is the number of assists at one World Cup, now held by Olise with six.
00:08 CET - Nothing drastic from Didier Deschamps, as he makes FOUR changes at half-time. Bradley Barcola, Dayot Upamecano, Ousmane Dembele and Lucas Digne are coming on for France, all played in the semi-final against Spain, to try and help find some respectability for the French.
Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins is on for England in place of Marcus Rashford.
We are underway in the second half.
23:53 CET - Not an understatement to suggest that was the strangest 45 minutes of football we have had at this World Cup.
Declan Rice and Kylian Mbappe appeared to have swapped shirts at the break, whilst the France captain is seen chatting away to Thomas Tuchel, sharing a joke.
If that doesn't prove the French aren't taking this game seriously, then the scoreline does.
England have been good on the break, but this is more down to this France team seemingly downing tools. This game, as we know, will not be remembered by many in the years to come, but for Didier Deschamps, this is not how he will want to bow out.
23:47 CET - Shambolic defending once again from France and England punish them with the simplest of moves. A smart turn from Eberechi Eze, a decoy run from Ivan Toney and a decent finish from Bukayo Saka makes it 4-0.
A rye smile from Kylian Mbappe says it all. This is turning into an embarrassment for Les Bleus.
23:38 CET - It's three to England! Calamitous defending from France, who are 10 metres inside the England half when Marcus Rashford is put clean through. He can't beat Mike Maignan, but Bukayo Saka can, and it's 3-0 to the Three Lions.
It can't be stressed enough how bad the defending from France was for the latest goal.
23:35 CET - England have already had more touches inside the opposition's box after 36 minutes compared to Wednesday's semi-final, but that doesn't mean they don't need their wits about them at the other end.
Dean Henderson has to be at his best to stop Kylian Mbappe once again.
23:28 CET - Out from the hydration break, and France have their best chance of the game, with Kylian Mbappe getting in between England's centre-backs, but his shot is slowed down by Dean Henderson, before Marc Guehi gets back to stop the ball crossing the line.
Remember, Mbappe is level with Lionel Messi in the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals.
23:18 CET - Ezri Konsa makes it two to England!
Declan Rice involved again for the Three Lions, getting his trademark corner into the right area, allowing Konsa to find the net with a flicked header.
France are yet to really turn up, and England fans, although happy with the current situation, will be wondering where this was on Wednesday night...
23:13 CET - This could, could be a fun game... France are not going to hold back either, it seems, as Rayan Cherki forces Dean Henderson into an unorthodox stop.
Down the other end, Bukayo Saka has the ball in the net, but the offside flag is up, and the Arsenal winger has marginally strayed.
This feels more like a video game at the moment.
23:08 CET - England showing pace on the break against France to get in behind after a lovely touch from Bukayo Saka. He picks out Marcus Rashford, but his effort is blocked. A flying start from the Three Lions.
23:03 CET - What a start from England! Unlike against Argentina towards the end of that semi-final, they are on the front foot, and with the shackles off, Declan Rice strides forward to lace one into the bottom corner and give his side the lead.
23:00 CET - A subdued atmosphere as you'd expect, but we are underway in a game no player wants to be a part of.
22:56 CET - Anthems sung, we are almost ready to go in Miami.
22:40 CET - Just 20 minutes to go until kick-off in Florida, with both teams out warming up.
21:38 CET - Both teams ring the changes for the play-off, with Thomas Tuchel making seven for England, whilst Didier Deschamps has made the same.
Kylian Mbappe does start and captains Les Bleus, whilst Harry Kane is replaced by Ivan Toney. Declan Rice, surprisingly, does make the XI and captains England.
20:53 CET - Ahead of his final game as France manager, Didier Deschamps has been heralded as a legend by star striker Kylian Mbappe in a social media post.
20:00 CET - With three hours to go until England and France do battle for the bronze, Argentina and Spain have both had their preparations for tomorrow's final due to inclement weather.
Storms have hit the New York area this afternoon, seeing Spain have their final session cancelled, whilst Lionel Scaloni's men had theirs shortened.
18:21 CET - One player who has something more than a bronze medal to play for tonight is Kylian Mbappe, who is still very much in with a chance of winning the Golden Boot.
He's currently level with Lionel Messi on eight goals, so will fancy his chances of being the World Cup's top scorer for the second tournament in a row if he can find the back of the net tonight.
16:12 CET - While today's third-place play-off is a match neither France nor England will be particularly keen to play, it does provide Didier Deschamps with a chance to end his tenure with Les Bleus on a winning note before handing the reins over to Zinedine Zidane.
As for England, the fallout from Wednesday's loss to Argentina has been extreme, with Thomas Tuchel facing plenty of criticism for his in-game substitutions and tactics in the latter stages of the second half.
Today's clash could at least offer a bit of respite from that scrutiny, as the Three Lions look to achieve their best World Cup finish since winning the title back in 1966.
13:00 CET - Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of today's third-place play-off between France and England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
After disappointing semi-final defeats to Spain and Argentina, respectively, France and England will be looking to end their tournament on a positive note when they face-off at the Hard Rock Stadium later today at 23:00 CET.
With several hours to go until kick-off, why not read our in-depth preview of the match or watch the video preview below:
FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup took place from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament featured 48 national teams and was won by Spain, who beat Argentina in the final.
Full schedule and results | Group standings and bracket | Past winners of the tournament | Our team of the tournament | About the 2030 World Cup