Kylian Mbappé paid tribute on Instagram to Didier Deschamps before France faced England in the 2026 World Cup third-place match in Miami. The fixture marks Deschamps’ final game as France coach after 14 years in charge.
Mbappé was named in France’s starting lineup as Deschamps made six changes for the meeting with England. The match at Hard Rock Stadium was scheduled to decide third place after France’s semifinal defeat to Spain.
A Farewell Under Pressure
Deschamps had the chance to end his tenure with a win, something only one of France’s previous eight managers had achieved in his final match. A victory over England would also end a run dating back to 2002.
France travelled to the stadium with stormy weather hanging over Miami. Thunder was heard near Hard Rock Stadium, although no postponement had been announced at the time, according to www.lefigaro.fr.
England arrived with its own disappointment after losing its semifinal against Argentina. Coach Thomas Tuchel described that elimination as a lasting scar for both him and his players.
France’s Rare Third-Place Matches
The playoff against England was France’s fourth match for third place at a World Cup and its first in 40 years. The previous occasions produced two French wins and one defeat.
| Year | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Germany vs France | France won 6-3 |
| 1982 | Poland vs France | France lost 3-2 |
| 1986 | France vs Belgium | France won 4-2 |
| 2026 | France vs England | Third-place playoff in Miami |
The value of the match was openly questioned by former England international Alan Shearer. He criticized FIFA for requiring eliminated players to remain in Miami and play in high heat for a game he saw as primarily commercial.
Storms Also Shadow the Final
Bad weather affected the buildup to the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Storms in the area led Spain to temporarily cancel its final training session, while Argentina was reported to be continuing preparations.
Supporters of Spain gathered in Times Square before the final, while heavy storms left parts of New York flooded. The final was set to feature Donald Trump, who was expected to present the trophy to the winners.
Spain forward Borja Iglesias said he would follow FIFA protocol and shake Trump’s hand if required. Speaking to Panenka, he said he hoped the encounter would happen when everyone was happy and would pass quickly.