England manager Thomas Tuchel faces a third-place play-off against France on Saturday, a match he has publicly said neither team wants to play – but Croatia great Davor Suker has called that comment "talking nonsense." The 2026 World Cup campaign has been a rollercoaster for England: a quarter-final win over Norway courtesy of Jude Bellingham's extra-time winner, followed by a devastating semi-final defeat to Argentina after taking the lead. Now Tuchel's side must pick themselves up for what many consider a consolation match.
Tuchel took over as England manager and guided the team to the World Cup semi-finals in the United States. After a slow-burn quarter-final against Norway, where they fell behind to Andreas Schjelderup's cross-cum-shot, Bellingham equalised and then scored again in extra time to secure a 2-1 victory. In the semi-final against Argentina at Atlanta Stadium, England led through Anthony Gordon's second-half goal, but became "too passive" according to Tuchel, allowing late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez to lose 2-1. The defeat meant England missed out on the final, where their opponents would have been Spain,who beat France.
“Why England's third-place World Cup match under Thomas Tuchel matters and the controversy around it.”
The third-place play-off has long been a subject of debate in football. Some see it as a pointless match for teams that have just lost a semi-final; others, like Suker, argue it is a chance to win a medal and honour the competition. Suker, who won the Golden Boot in 1998 when Croatia finished third, took aim at Tuchel for saying the players don't want to play. "Some people have won so many trophies and are so wealthy that this match means nothing to them," said Suker. "My message to them is: be quiet, respect all 211 participants, and understand that the world doesn't belong only to them." Tuchel had said pre-match that "none of our players and none of the French players want to play this match" and that both teams wanted to be in the final, but added they would approach it with professionalism.
For UK readers, the third-place play-off matters because it shapes the legacy of a tournament. A win would give England a bronze medal – their best since 1990 when they finished fourth – and provide a positive finish to a campaign that ended in semi-final heartbreak. It also affects Tuchel's job security; he has faced criticism for his tactics in the Argentina defeat, particularly for dropping deep after taking the lead. The match offers a chance to restore some pride and momentum ahead of future qualifiers. Additionally, Bellingham's performance across the tournament – he is on six goals and in contention for the Golden Boot – has been a bright spot, and another strong showing could cement his status as one of the world's best.
Q: Why does the third-place play-off exist? The third-place play-off has been part of the World Cup since 1934, designed to determine the bronze medal winner. Critics argue it is an anticlimax for beaten semi-finalists, but defenders say it honours the tournament by awarding a tangible prize for third place and gives fans an extra match.
Q: What did Thomas Tuchel say about the third-place match? Tuchel said before the game that "none of our players and none of the French players want to play this match" and that they wished they were in the final instead, but he promised to approach it with professionalism. His comments drew criticism from Davor Suker, who said Tuchel was "talking nonsense" and that the match should be treated with respect.
Q: How did England reach the third-place play-off? England beat Norway 2-1 in the quarter-finals after extra time, with Jude Bellingham scoring both goals. They then lost 2-1 to Argentina in the semi-final, having taken the lead through Anthony Gordon before conceding two late goals. France lost their semi-final to Spain.
What happens next England face France in the third-place play-off on Saturday, 18 July 2026 in Miami. The match kicks off at 10pm BST. After the World Cup, Tuchel's future as England manager will be reviewed, with his tactics already under scrutiny. The result could influence whether he stays on for qualifying campaigns for Euro 2028.