France play England on Saturday in the 2026 World Cup’s third-place playoff – or “bronze final” as FIFA now calls it – after losing their respective semifinals.
Most players and fans of defeated semifinalists just want to go home although some teams welcome an opportunity to play one final World Cup game and see finishing third in the tournament as a genuine achievement.
The game could also have implications for the Golden Boot race.
Here’s everything you need to know about the third-place playoff:
Why is there a third-place playoff at the World Cup?
It is an opportunity for a team to claim a figurative bronze medal and podium finish and is theoretically an exciting match-up between two top teams.
An extra game is also an opportunity for FIFA and the host city to generate more revenue and helps broadcasters fill a scheduling gap between Wednesday’s last semifinal and Sunday’s final.
When was the third-place playoff introduced?
It was first introduced in the second World Cup in 1934 when Germany beat Austria 3-2 to take third place.
While the playoff was also held in 1938, the last tournament before a hiatus due to World War II, it was not held at the following 1950 edition.
It was reinstated in 1954 and has been at every World Cup since.