How to watch for free: Today's bronze final will air for free on global channels like BBC iPlayer/ITV. You can use a VPN like ExpressVPN, our pick for location spoofing, to connect to a UK server to tune in for free. You may also be able to watch for free with a streaming trial from DirecTV, FuboTV, or YouTube TV.
After a month of adrenaline-pumping action, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws to a close this weekend with two exciting finals. Argentina and Spain will fight for the sport's ultimate achievement on Sunday, while France take on England in the bronze final today.
There have been debates about whether FIFA should continue its third-place competition, but today we'll find out whether France or England will take home the bronze. It's also a chance for France's Kylian Mbappé, England's Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham to still aim for the Golden Boot. Mbappé is tied with Lionel Messi at eight goals, while Kane and Bellingham are just behind with six goals each.
It will be interesting to see if all of them start, as coaches do have a habit of playing rested players for this dead rubber. Whether you're tuning in to back your team or to see how the Golden Boot race unfolds, here's how you can watch the France vs. England third-place playoff live using a streaming subscription or for free using a VPN or free trial.
When Is the France vs. England Third-Place Play-Off?
The FIFA World Cup bronze final between France and England kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 18, at Miami Stadium in Miami, Florida.
How to Watch France vs. England Live in the US
You can watch France vs. England live on Fox or Telemundo. If you don't have cable and you live in the US, you can watch with a sports streaming subscription, such as DirecTV, Fox One, Fubo, Peacock, Sling, YouTube TV, and more. If you don't have a live TV or streaming service, you may be able to watch the game with a free trial:
How to Watch France vs. England Online for Free
The France vs. England bronze final will air live for free on several streaming platforms across the globe, including:
- The UK: BBC iPlayer/ITV
- Ireland: RTE Player
- Australia: SBS
- France: M6
- Germany: ZDF
- Belgium: RTBF
- Austria: Servus TV
- Spain: RTVE
- Brazil: CazéTV on YouTube
- Norway: NRK
- Netherlands: NOS
These platforms are geo-locked to their respective countries, but you can use a virtual private network (VPN) to watch matches for free from the US or elsewhere. For the France vs. England World Cup bronze final, we recommend ExpressVPN, our top pick for location spoofing. ExpressVPN has servers across the globe, making it easy to mask your actual location so you can access region-locked content. Additionally, ExpressVPN is also an official supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Here's how you can access the France vs. England match with a VPN using BBC iPlayer as an example:
- Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN).
- Download the VPN app on your computer, phone, or preferred device.
- Connect to a server in the UK.
- Visit BBC iPlayer or ITV to start streaming.
Note: If you're new to BBC, you may be asked to create an account to access iPlayer. Add a UK postal code on the sign-up page to avoid possible disruptions. I tested this earlier this week to make sure it was still working.
Usually, the top VPNs that let you connect to servers in other countries aren't free. But if you already have a VPN subscription or qualify for a free trial, you may be able to use one to watch the FIFA World Cup third-place play-off between France and England at no additional cost.
France: Road to Third-Place Playoff, Team News
France were the team to beat at this World Cup and played every game until the semifinal as if they were here to rule. In the semifinal, however, they were outclassed, outrun, and left stunned by a Spanish team that had mastered the art of moving the ball with pace and accuracy.
That said, they have plenty of positives to take from this campaign, especially with regard to their roster's potential. Kylian Mbappé, their best player, is still just 27 years old. He is second on the all-time World Cup scorers list, has already won the trophy once, and could end up being the greatest World Cup performer ever. Michael Olise, aged 24, is another young player who set the tournament on fire and could serve the country for many years to come. Similar hopes can be rested on several other young talents, such as Bradley Barcola, Aurélien Tchouaméni, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Désiré Doué, and Manu Koné.
- Group Games: Beat Senegal 3-1; Beat Iraq 3-0; Beat Norway 4-1
- Round of 32: Beat Sweden, 3-0
- Round of 16: Beat Paraguay, 1-0
- Quarter-final: Beat Morocco, 2-0
- Semi-final: Lost to Spain, 2-0
- Top Scorer: Kylian Mbappé (8 goals) | Most Assists: Michael Olise (5)
Expected lineup: As mentioned earlier, coaches often rotate their squad for this game, so all regulars may not start. That said, this is also Didier Deschamps' final game as head coach. He is the only Frenchman to win the World Cup both as a player (1998) and a coach (2018), and he may want to wrap up his national career with yet another meaningful achievement.
If that's the case, he could play Maignan in goal; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, and Hernández/Digne in defense; Tchouaméni/Kone and Rabiot in defensive midfield; Dembélé, Olise, Doué/Barcola as attacking midfielders; and Mbappé as the lone striker.
England: Road to Third-Place Playoff, Team News
England put up some stellar performances throughout the tournament, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in the form of their lives. Against Argentina, though, soccer pundits say that coach Thomas Tuchel made some tactical errors that led to their defeat. England took the lead in the 55th minute with a clinical finish from Anthony Gordon, but Tuchel's substitutions thereafter focused on guarding their narrow lead instead of increasing it. Argentina then attacked persistently and were rewarded with two goals that clinched a spot in the final.
Looking back at England's campaign, this felt like one of the few World Cups where it indeed looked like "it's coming home." If it wasn't for the genius of Lionel Messi, they probably would be in the final with Spain.
- Group Game 1: Beat Croatia 4-2; Drew Ghana 0-0; Beat Panama 2-0
- Round of 32: Beat DR Congo, 2-1
- Round of 16: Beat Mexico, 3-2
- Quarter-final: Beat Norway, 2-1
- Semi-final: Lost to Argentina, 2-1
- Top Scorers: Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane (6 goals) | Most Assists: Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon (3)
Expected lineup: Tuchel will have the services of Jarell Quansah again, following his two-game suspension for dangerous play against Mexico. If the coach picks Quansah, here's what the playing XI could look like: Pickford in goal; Quansah, Stones, Guéhi, and Spence in defense; Rice, Anderson, and Bellingham in the midfield; and Rogers, Gordon, and Kane up front.
2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. This year, the tournament has expanded to 48 participating nations for a total of 104 games.
- June 11 to June 27: Group stage
- June 28 to July 2: The knockout stage begins with the first-ever Round of 32 at a FIFA World Cup. The eventual champion will have to win five consecutive knockout games, instead of the former four.
- July 3 to July 7: Round of 16
- July 9, 10, 11: Quarterfinals
- July 14-15: Semifinals
- July 18: Bronze final
- July 19: Final
We'll be following the World Cup through this weekend, so stay tuned for more.
Source: PCMag.com
