The Short Version
Bronze goes to England. In a wide-open third-place play-off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, England beat France 6–4 in a ten-goal game to finish third at the 2026 World Cup. After a tournament of one-goal margins, the goals finally came in a flood — England’s biggest scoring night arriving in the match that decided the last step on the podium. France, beaten by Spain in the semi-finals, end up fourth. Only one match is left now: Spain vs Argentina in the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
The third-place play-off is usually a quiet goodbye. This one was a shoot-out. England beat France 6–4 at Hard Rock Stadium to take the bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup — a ten-goal game that finally let two eliminated semi-finalists cut loose. For England, who had ground out one-goal knockout ties all tournament and then lost their semi-final by a single goal, the release was total. France, beaten by Spain two days earlier, finish fourth.
July 18 result at a glance
| Match | Score | Venue | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|
| France vs England | 4–6 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | England |
Ten goals in a play-off nobody had to win — and England came out on the right side of it to claim bronze.
England finally let the goals flow
All tournament, England had been a side of fine margins. They came through the knockouts by seeing off Congo DR, Mexico and Norway, then lost the semi-final 1-2 to Argentina — a fourth straight one-goal knockout, and the one that finally went against them. Freed from the weight of a game they had to win, they scored six.
It is a strange kind of comfort. England leave the tournament among its best four sides, with a bronze medal to show for it, but their wait for a first World Cup since 1966 goes on. Third place is not the prize they came for — it is, at least, a night when the goals finally flowed.
France finish on a flat note
For France, the third-place game came two days after losing the semi-final to Spain, and it ended the same way — one step short. They scored four at Hard Rock Stadium but conceded six, and finish the 2026 World Cup in fourth.
It is a hard way to close a strong run, as the day’s coverage noted. France depart among the tournament’s last four, but with neither the final nor the bronze to mark it.
Only the final is left
With the bronze decided, one match remains. Spain, who beat France to reach the final, meet holders Argentina, who came past England — a decider between the tournament’s two most controlled sides on July 19.
| Placing | Team | How it was decided |
|---|---|---|
| Third place | England | Beat France 6–4, July 18 |
| Fourth place | France | Lost the third-place play-off |
| Final | Spain vs Argentina | July 19, MetLife Stadium |
The 2026 World Cup will be settled on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, where Spain face Argentina. Spain arrive as the tournament’s most controlled attacking side; Argentina arrive as the holders, chasing back-to-back titles with Lionel Messi, as the day’s coverage set out. The bronze is England’s; the gold is still to be won.
Frequently asked questions
What was the July 18 World Cup result? England beat France 6–4 in the third-place play-off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to finish third at the 2026 World Cup.
Who won France vs England? England won 6–4 to take the bronze medal. France finished fourth.
Who finished third at the 2026 World Cup? England, who beat France 6–4 in the third-place play-off on July 18.
What was the score in the third-place play-off? France 4, England 6 — a ten-goal game that England edged.
Who is in the 2026 World Cup final? The final is Spain vs Argentina, on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Did England win a medal at the 2026 World Cup? Yes. England took bronze by finishing third, though their wait for a first World Cup title since 1966 continues.
When and where is the 2026 World Cup final? The final is on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How did the third-place play-off finish 6–4? With both sides already eliminated and nothing left to lose, the game opened up, and England outscored France across an end-to-end night to take third.
