France and England are set to clash in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff in Miami, a game neither team truly wanted after missing out on Sunday's final. France was knocked out by Spain, and England by Argentina, paving the way for this unexpected bronze medal match. Both coaches are clearly shaking things up, rotating their lineups to give some fringe players a shot, but one benching is already sending shockwaves.
Deschamps Shakes Up France's Lineup, Mbappe Eyes History
Didier Deschamps, France's long-serving head coach, is definitely making some moves for this final outing. He's decided to bench FC Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano, which is a bit of a surprise, but at least Upamecano's teammate Michael Olise is starting! Looking at the confirmed lineup, France is still bringing serious heat with Gusto, Theo Hernández, Zaire-Emery, and Rabiot on the field. And let's not forget Kylian Mbappe, leading the attack for Les Bleus. He's got his eyes locked on history, hoping to become the first player ever to win the Golden Ball twice. Every touch, every run matters when you're battling Kane and Messi for that kind of individual glory!Kane Benched, Quansah Returns for Three Lions
Over on the England side, though, we've got the real head-scratcher. Harry Kane is, unbelievably, on the bench for the Three Lions! You'd think a player still in the running for the Golden Ball against Mbappe and Lionel Messi would be out there, making his case, right? This is a massive surprise. Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah is straight back into the lineup, which is good news after he missed the last two games because of a suspension. Expect to see some fresh faces like Saka, Rashford, and Toney trying to make an impact, with Declan Rice wearing the captain's armband. It's clear both teams are using this match to give some different guys a run, but Kane on the bench? Wild. So, while it's not the final, there's still plenty to watch for in Miami. Can Mbappe take a bigger lead in that Golden Ball race with Kane sidelined? It's France versus England, and even for third place, you know these guys will be battling hard until the final whistle.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.