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By Ethan Carter — 19 July 2026 — 3 min read

England’s Lineup Decisions for Bronze Final

England manager Thomas Tuchel made notable decisions regarding his starting lineup for the World Cup third-place playoff against France. Key players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were not included in the starting XI for the match, which took place on Saturday, July 18.

Tuchel explained his choices by citing the physical demands placed on the players throughout the tournament. He noted the extensive travel and match kilometers accumulated, particularly highlighting the team’s recovery time and the impact of playing with ten men at altitude and in overtime during previous matches. Despite their readiness to play, Kane and Bellingham were held back to potentially impact the game later as substitutes.

The manager had previously expressed a nuanced view on the third-place playoff, describing it as “the match no one wants to play in” following England’s semifinal defeat. However, he also publicly stated its importance, calling it “a chance to have the best result since 60 years” and a “big game against one of the best teams in the world.”

The decision to rest Kane and Bellingham is significant, as the two players have been central to England’s attacking efforts, contributing to a substantial portion of the team’s goals in the tournament. Their absence from the starting lineup meant other players needed to step up to fill the void.

Tactical Adjustments and Player Selections

Tuchel’s lineup for the match against France showcased a shift in strategy. The confirmed starting XI featured Dean Henderson in goal, with a defensive line comprising Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, and Djed Spence. Declan Rice was tasked with a central role as the sole defensive-minded midfielder, playing behind Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.

The wide attacking positions were filled by Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, both of whom had a watching brief during the semifinal. Ivan Toney, described by Tuchel as a “specialist,” was given the nod to start, a decision that had previously generated discussion, especially over the inclusion of Ollie Watkins.

The substitutes’ bench included several notable names, such as Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Nico O’Reilly, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Reece James, Elliot Anderson, Jordan Henderson, Anthony Gordon, and Noni Madueke, in addition to Kane and Bellingham.

This lineup represented a stark contrast to the defensive approach seen in the semifinal, where Tuchel introduced six defenders in the second half. That earlier decision had drawn criticism, but the manager appeared to be engaging with his critics through this more attacking formation.

Broadcast Information for the Third-Place Match

The France versus England third-place playoff match was broadcast live on Saturday, July 18, at 2 p.m. PT/5 p.m. ET on Fox. Viewers had several options to stream the match online, including services that carry the Fox network.

These streaming services included DirecTV, which offered a five-day free trial, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. The match was also available for live streaming on Fox One, the official 2026 World Cup streamer. For Spanish-language coverage, Peacock served as the official World Cup streamer.

DirecTV’s five-day free trial allowed new subscribers to watch the remainder of the tournament, including the July 19 final, at no cost. Fox is part of DirecTV’s various packages, with plans starting at a monthly rate. Fubo also offered Fox, with initial discounts for new subscribers. Sling’s Blue Plan and Orange & Blue plan included Fox, though local channel availability varied by market. Hulu + Live TV provided a three-day free trial and bundled subscriptions with Disney+ and ESPN+.

The third-place game was also aired live on Telemundo for Spanish-language audiences, providing multiple viewing avenues for fans to follow the conclusion of the tournament.

Source: si.com