France, England face off in World Cup third-place play-off — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): France and England are set to meet tonight in the third-place play-off of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after both teams missed out on a place in the final. France were defeated 2-0 by Spain in the semi-finals, while England suffered a 2-1 loss to Argentina. The match will mark Didier Deschamps’ final game as France’s head coach after 14 years in charge. Under Deschamps, France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, reached the 2022 final and advanced to the semi-finals in three consecutive World Cups. Both teams are expected to make changes to their line-ups due to the demanding schedule, giving more opportunities to players who have had limited playing time. The Golden Boot race will also be a key focus, with France forward Kylian Mbappé among the leading contenders after scoring eight goals. A goal against England could strengthen his position at the top of the scoring chart. England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have each scored six goals, also remain in contention for the award. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be played tomorrow night between Argentina and Spain to decide the tournament champions.