FIFA are Shameless in Insisting on this Pointless Third-Place Match That Celebrates Losing - It Needs to be Removed

Why Does The World Cup Third-Place Playoff Exist?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final may be taking place this Sunday, but the final isn't the only match left at this summer's tournament.

Saturday will see England and France face off in Miami in the third-place playoff, a match to determine who will earn the title of being the third placed team at the 2026 World Cup.

Both England and France will still be feeling the effects of their respective defeats. France have understandably been strongly criticised following their semi-final performance vs Spain, in which a lacklustre showing saw La Roja advance to the final with a 0-2 victory over Kylian Mbappe and co. with a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal and a second half strike from right-back Pedro Porro.

England meanwhile, with their match taking place a day after, will have the mood in the camp even more fresh than their upcoming opponents, perhaps also heightened by the manner in which they were eventually saw their World Cup final dreams go up in flames. The Three Lions took the lead in the early stages of the second half, as Anthony Gordon tapped home from close-range after a brilliant Morgan Rogers cross.

7 - England have been eliminated every time they have faced a top 10 ranked nation in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup since 1998 (7/7).

Obstacle. pic.twitter.com/TsO5i5eZR5

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 15, 2026

However, the latter stages of the match saw everything fall apart for Thomas Tuchel's side, as the England manager was punished for setting up with a more defensive approach to try and see the game out. Enzo Fernandez struck an effort from outside the box past Jordan Pickford, before substitute striker Lautaro Martinez headed home in the first minute of stoppage time to send Argentina through and break England hearts.

But both sides have one more match to play before heading home, but is the third-place playoff really worth it?

The third place playoff match has been a staple of the World Cup for almost the entirety of the tournament's existence. However in truth, it's place at the tournament can rightfully be questioned. As in reality, there is little on the line for this particular match.

Whilst the winning team of the third place playoff do receive bronze medals, they of course do not hold the same weight as even a runners-up medal from the final. And especially in the case of England and France, there may be little interest in receiving them.

As well as medals, extra prize money is also awarded to the winning team of the third place playoff, with the difference being $2 million with the winning team claiming $29 million whilst the defeated side will receive $27 million.

Whilst some nations, such as Croatia in 2022 - who claimed third place after defeating Morocco - may see the occasion, achievement and pride of the third place playoff more significant than others, it's clear that the major nations struggle to recognise the game's importance with several managers being critical of the match taking place previously.

Back in 2014, as the Netherlands played hosts Brazil, Louis van Gaal stated "I think this match should never be played, I've been saying that for 10 years. It's unfair." And the Dutchman was not alone in having those thoughts. Four years later in 2018, as former England coach Gareth Southgate prepared to face Belgium in the third place playoff match in Russia, he said "It's not a game any team wants to play in."

Current Three Lions boss Tuchel shared similar quotes regarding the Saturday's upcoming match to his predecessor following the defeat to Argentina. "None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match" said the Three Lions boss.

"They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but that’s how it is."

🚨🚨 Thomas Tuchel : « AUCUN DE NOS JOUEURS NI AUCUN DES JOUEURS FRANÇAIS NE SOUHAITE DISPUTER LE MATCH POUR LA TROISIÈME PLACE. ❌

ILS VEULENT JOUER LA FINALE. Nous avons tout donné pour y parvenir. TOUT LE MONDE JOUE POUR GAGNER LA COUPE DU MONDE, mais c’est ainsi.

Nous… pic.twitter.com/2vz7bArlAp

— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) July 16, 2026

It's clear that despite the match having benefits, the majority believe that it's place at the tournament is somewhat worthless, given the true lack of gain from winning and the feel that it rewards failure.

From an individual standpoint, the match in Miami could prove vital in the race for the golden boot - both side's talismanic captains Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane will likely start the match, despite it's mostly-little importance to both team's cause.

This summer's World Cup has seen perhaps the most strongly contested golden boot race in modern times. Mbappe finds himself tied with Lionel Messi on eight goals to currently lead the race, with Kane and fellow Englishman Jude Bellingham two behind on six. Whilst Mbappe won't be lifting the World Cup trophy this weekend, a goal or two in Miami could see the Frenchman claim a second consecutive golden boot award at the FIFA World Cup following his success four years ago in Qatar which saw him named top scorer, after his stunning World Cup final hat-trick despite a loss on penalties to Argentina.

The Golden Boot is practically settled unless Oyarzabal scores a hat-trick in the final. Another World Cup Golden Ball for Messi at 39? We are witnessing something that will be spoken about for generations. pic.twitter.com/N0XT5EfkP7

— pavan (@fcbpa1_) July 15, 2026

Whilst many fans, managers and players may feel that the third place playoff match doesn't enitrely deserve it's place at the World Cup, it appears FIFA has no plans to scrap the event. It remains to be seen whether Saturday's match will share a similar feel to much of the action that has taken place this summer, and how strong each team's managers will go with their team selection. What is clear is that whatever the result will be, neither team will be satisfied with their performance and will still feel the pain of not taking part in the final the following day.