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FIFA News: The match "nobody wants to play"
SEN • July 19th, 2026 9:53 am
- France 0-4 England LIVE
- Spain v Argentina - Monday 5am AEST
France and England have kicked off in the Bronze Final at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - a game that neither team wants to play.
Leading into the third-place match, representatives from both parties have suggested that both France and England have little interest in playing off for a podium position.
Historically, despite the third place match in a World Cup reflecting an exceptional achievement, the Bronze Final has always been one sparking much debate over it's importance - particularly for the biggest nations failing to reach the final.
France versus England is the perfect example of this, with both managers swinging seven changes from their starting XI's against Spain and Argentina respectively.
Speaking leading into the match, England manager Thomas Tuchel explained it rather bluntly.
"Nobody wants to be in this game," Tuchel said.
"All of these four teams wanted to be in New York (at the final). But it is an official World Cup game.
"It's a chance to have the best result in 60 years for England. Mentality is not something that you switch on and switch off as you like it.
"It is a moment to show that we are actually made of what we showed through the whole tournament."
French defender Ibrahima Konate echoed the same sentiment.
"None of us wanted to play in this game for third place," he said.
"But we don't have a choice to play. France and England have a big story together. And, yeah, we are looking forward to the game tomorrow, and let's see what will happen."
England lead 4-0 at half time.
