France and England will meet today in Miami for the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff, a match often seen as a formality but now charged with pride and redemption. The game, scheduled for 3 a.m., pits two European rivals who fell short in the semifinals—France losing 2–0 to Spain and England surrendering a 1–0 lead to Argentina to lose 2–1.

France’s captain Kylian Mbappé, who leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals, expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s defensive tactics after their semifinal defeat. Coach Didier Deschamps, facing criticism at home, is expected to end his long career with this match. England’s manager Thomas Tuchel is also under fire for his defensive approach, with British media questioning his future. A win would mark England’s second-best World Cup result after their 1966 title.

Both teams face injury concerns: France’s William Saliba is unlikely to play due to a back injury, while England’s Reece James is ruled out. Despite the disappointment, the match offers a chance for both sides to restore pride and finish their campaigns on a high note.