As one head coach departs, the other will look to prove he is up to the task.
Didier Deschamps’ 14-year reign as France boss comes to an tomorrow night following the World Cup bronze medal game against England in Miami.
Deschamps guided LesBleus to the World Cup title in 2018 and runners-up spot in 2022 but could not manage a third successive final with his supremely talented side making a meek exit against Spain on Tuesday night.
Critics of the former France captain claim his conservative approach has held the team back over the years but his tactic of all-out attack at this tournament – his regular XI featured four out-and-out attackers – left them imbalanced and Spain fed on their vulnerability.
Deschamps is almost certain to be replaced by his former team-mate Zinedine Zidane in the hot-seat.
England aren’t contemplating a change just yet but boss Thomas Tuchel has plenty of work to do to win back the hearts and minds of an English public still seething at Wednesday’s loss to Argentina.
The Three Lions took a deserved lead 10 minutes into the second half through Anthony Gordon but then attempted to sit on that advantage with Tuchel’s negative gameplan, and substitutions, eventually backfiring as the South Americans scored twice late on to win 2-1.
Team news for France v England
William Saliba will not play due to the back injury that has been hampering him for much of the tournament and that forced him off just half an hour into the game against Spain. Back-up goalkeeper Brice Samba is also carrying a knock so Mike Maignan should continue between the sticks.
Captain Kylian Mbappe is set to start as he chases the Golden Boot but he will have a very different supporting cast as Deschamps changes the bulk of his starting XI to give squad players the chance to impress.
Saliba’s Arsenal team-mate Declan Rice is set to be rested after battling illness and a back injury while Reece James should also sit out.
The likes of Dean Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo and Dan Burn could all start.
Predicted line-ups for France v England
France: Maignan; Gusto, Konate, Lacroix, T Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Kante, Akliouche, Cherki, Thuram; Mbappe
England: Henderson; Konsa, Burn, Chalobah, O’Reilly; Mainoo, Eze, Rogers, Saka, Rashford; Watkins
Where to watch France v England: TV and online streams
France versus England kicks off at 10pm UK time on Saturday night. You can watch it on BBC One and stream via the BBC iPlayer.
Stats for France v England
- An England win would give them their highest finish at a World Cup since 1966
- England have featured in two World Cup third place play-offs, losing both of them – 2-1 to Italy in 1990 and 2-0 to Belgium in 2018
- This is the fourth World Cup meeting between France and England – the Three Lions won the first two (2-0 in 1966, 3-1 in 1982) but France won 2-1 in the 2022 quarter-final most recently
- Every single World Cup third place play-off match has been won without going to penalties, with only France 4-2 Belgium in 1986 going to extra-time
- France are competing in the World Cup third place play-off for the fourth time in their history. Only Germany (5) have more appearances. Les Bleus have won on two of the previous three occasions, beating Germany 6-3 in 1958 and Belgium 4-2 in 1986, while losing 2-3 to Poland in 1982.
Prediction for France v England
So much depends on the teams selected with wholesale changes expected.
But with France’s squad having greater depth, we’re going to go for Les Bleus to edge it.
Prediction: France 2-1 England
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