France and England bosses say squads will take World Cup play off seriously

France head coach Didier Deschamps and his England counterpart Thomas Tuchel say their teams will play Saturday's World Cup third place play-off game with intensity despite the disappointment of losing their semi-finals against Spain and Argentina respectively.

Issued on: 18/07/2026 - 08:16Modified: 18/07/2026 - 08:16

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"There's a duty,” Deschamps said on the eve of the clash at the Miami Stadium.

“I have duties, my staff has duties and so do the players," said the 57-year-old Frenchman who will step down from his role after 14 years in charge.

"We have a responsibility to wear the France jersey for all the French people who are cheering for us.”

Spain outplayed France during the 2-0 defeat in Dallas on Tuesday. France went into the game with the most potent attack in the competition. Skipper Kylian Mbappé had scored eight of his side's 16 goals. Along with Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Désiré Doué, they had torn opposition defences to shreds.

But Spain held firm.

Tuchel's chance for redemption

Tuchel will be keen to use the game to offset the criticism over his tactics during his side's loss on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Anthony Gordon put England ahead in the 55th minute. But as Argentina turned up the pressure, Tuchel made defensive substitutions rather than continuing to attack.

Enzo Fernandez levelled in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez headed home the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.

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Tuchel says England have to suffer. "We have to live with this, so it's our pain, my pain and the players' pain," he said.

"And it is our scar that we carry now. It is a very painful defeat, and we have to live with this defeat, first and foremost, not the critics, not the experts, not our family members who suffer as well with us and want only the best for us, but it's basically us."

Tuchel conceded that England were underdogs when it came to clashes with the likes of France, Spain and Argentina.

"What they built over many years with the coaches and the team, there's still a slight gap that we have to close," said Tuchel.

"I think the gap shows in almost the expectations of these countries to win a World Cup and to be in a final."

But Tuchel promised a reaction from his men.

"We will overcome it, we will use it, we will have a reaction and it starts from the third place play-off.

"We have a gap to close, and we are aware of that, and that's where the focus is."

Deschamps' record with France

During his time in charge, Deschamps steered France to the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League.

They were beaten finalists in the 2016 European Championship and the 2022 World Cup.

“I know it will be the last match and I also know that I will miss the French national team,” Deschamps said.

“I had the privilege for 15 years to experience magnificent moments as well as more difficult moments as coach."

Deschamps, who skippered France in 54 of his 103 appearances, leaves with the boast of being among only three men who have won a World Cup as a player and a coach.

"The French national team is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me in my professional career,” he added.