England lost 1-2 to Argentina in a dramatic semi-final on 15 July at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, ending their run at the title.
England now play France in the third-place play-off on Saturday 18 July at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with kick-off at 5:00 PM ET. This guide covers how England’s run ended and where to find the full match schedule and travel details.
The third-place play-off: England vs France
Kick-off is at 5:00 PM ET on Saturday 18 July. Locally that is 1:00 AM in the UAE and Oman and 12:00 AM in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait — both on Sunday 19 July — and further into the morning across South Asia, also on 19 July: 2:00 AM in Pakistan, 2:30 AM in India, and 3:00 AM in Bangladesh.
The match is played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with Miami International Airport (MIA) the nearest major gateway. Compare flights to Miami or browse hotels in Miami for the weekend.
For the complete schedule across time zones and both teams’ full tournament recaps, see the World Cup 2026 Third-Place Play-Off: France vs England Schedule.
England’s run to the Semi-final
England came through Group L in convincing fashion, opening with a 4–2 win over Croatia in Arlington, drawing 0–0 with Ghana, and completing the group stage with a 2–0 victory over Panama to top the group. They then beat DR Congo 2–1 in the Round of 32 to advance to the Round of 16, according to the 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule.
The Round of 16 produced one of the matches of the tournament: a 3–2 win over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice in 98 seconds in a stunning burst that turned the tie on its head.
England then beat Norway 2–1 after extra time at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with Bellingham again the decisive figure, netting both goals including an extra-time winner, to reach the semi-final.
England led through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike in the semi-final, but Argentina struck twice late on — Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and Lautaro MartÃnez in second-half stoppage time, both assisted by Lionel Messi — to win 2-1 and end England’s run.
| Fixture | Date & venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| England vs Croatia | June 17, Arlington | 4–2 |
| England vs Ghana | June 23, group stage | 0–0 |
| England vs Panama | June 27, group stage | 2–0 |
| England vs DR Congo | July 1, Round of 32 | 2–1 |
| England vs Mexico | July 5, Mexico City | 3–2 |
| England vs Norway | July 11, Miami | 2–1 (AET) |
| England vs Argentina | July 15, Atlanta | 1–2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does England play in the third-place play-off?
England face France on Saturday 18 July 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
How did England’s title run end?
England lost 1-2 to Argentina in the semi-final on 15 July, with Anthony Gordon’s goal cancelled out by two late Argentina goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro MartÃnez.
When and where is the third-place play-off?
Kick-off is at 5:00 PM ET on Saturday 18 July 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida — 1:00 AM Sunday 19 July in the UAE and Oman, and 12:00 AM the same day in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
What is the third-place play-off?
It is a one-off match between the two beaten semi-finalists, England and France, to decide third and fourth place at the 2026 World Cup, played the day before the Final.
Sources
- FIFA – 2026 FIFA World Cup match schedule, fixtures and results
- ESPN – 2026 FIFA World Cup fixtures, results and match schedule
- NPR – In a nailbiter, England moves on to the World Cup semifinals, defeating Norway 2-1
- NPR – Mexico’s World Cup run ends with loss to England
- ESPN – England 1-2 Argentina, Semi-final match report
- World Soccer Talk — France vs England: date, kick-off time and venue for the third-place match
- Wego — World Cup 2026 Third-Place Play-Off: France vs England Schedule
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
