France will aim to secure third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they face England in Miami, in a match reported to mark the end of Didier Deschamps’ long spell as head coach.
According to MyJoyOnline, France reached the bronze-medal match after losing 2-0 to Spain in the semi-finals. England were reported to have fallen 2-1 to Argentina in their last-four tie.
Deschamps took charge of France in August 2012 and said the approaching match would bring down the curtain on his tenure. He described the national side as the most significant part of his professional life, having been involved with it for 25 years in total.
The coach said France still had an obligation to supporters despite missing out on the final. He said wearing the national shirt carried a responsibility to give back to fans who had followed the team through both successes and disappointments.
Defender Ibrahima Konate paid tribute to Deschamps and his staff, crediting the coach with bringing joy to French supporters over a lengthy period. Konate said the squad were determined to give their all against England.
He also acknowledged the scale of the challenge, describing England as a strong and close-knit side with a significant footballing history. Konate’s assessment followed England’s reported semi-final loss to Argentina.
A win would give France a top-three World Cup finish for the seventh time, according to the report. Deschamps said he and his staff would do everything possible to secure victory, while stressing that the team’s effort was paramount.
The third-place play-off gives France an opportunity to end their tournament with a result after their disappointment against Spain, while also offering the squad a chance to mark Deschamps’ reported farewell with a win.
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