2026 World Cup Picks & Predictions: France vs. England (Saturday)
Well, France won't be making its third straight appearance in the World Cup Final, nor will "it be coming home" to England this year. While Saturday's standalone match in Miami won't be for all the marbles, we still have a dynamite matchup between two elite squads in this third-place battle. Let's dive into the odds for France vs. England, and I'll lay out my argument for where I'm placing my money on the pitch. Here's my top 2026 World Cup picks for the third-place game.
Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.
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France vs. England 2026 World Cup Picks, Odds & Betting Analysis
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
France (-110) vs. England (+270), DRAW (+285) | 3.5 (+110/-135)
We'll have two elite goalscorers with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe on the pitch Saturday, so I do think a 3.5-goal total is warranted in this battle of potent offenses. But, still, we have to draw the line somewhere. I believe it's time to buy back and play the Under against an elevated number. I'm locking in the Under for France vs. England on Saturday evening.
Perhaps the most memorable match for England this tournament was their 3-2 barnburning victory in Estadio Azteca against Mexico. However, that was their only match in the last six outings that cleared 3.5 goals. Dating back even further, England has only produced 3.5 combined goals in two of its last 13 games in all competitions.
Meanwhile, France has been brilliant in all areas of the pitch this World Cup. Of course, we constantly hear of their dynamic attack, which is justified hype, but they've also been lights out in their own third. "Les Bleus" have only conceded three goals during their 6-0-1 run in this World Cup. Against a total of 3.5 goals, they're 5-1 to the Under in their last six games.
Finally, I think it's fair to question the motivations of each team. Obviously, hoisting the trophy in East Rutherford was the target for both France and England, but with that out of the question now, will we really receive top efforts from these nations? With all of the travel over the last month combined with the letdown performances in the semis, we may be in for a dud on Saturday. I'll take the Under 3.5 goals, which has also cashed in 13 of the last 14 head-to-head meetings between the teams.
Bet: Under 3.5 Goals (-135)