Mbappe named in France XI for World Cup third-place match against England

Kylian Mbappe to start for France against England in the third-place match at the World Cup in Miami on Saturday, with both coaches opting for heavily reshuffled lineups.

Mbappe is aiming for the tournament Golden Boot and to leapfrog Lionel Messi as the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are starting on the bench for England in the match, which could help them to finish third place, their best World Cup finish since 1966.

France coach Didier Deschamps, who is coaching the side for the one final time, has fielded a reserve defence.

France national team players are unhappy about having to play a World Cup third-place playoff, but it is their duty to deliver a bronze medal to the country, Deschamps told a press conference on Friday.

France, the 2018 world champions and finalists in Qatar four years ago, were one of the favourites and were hoping for a third straight final before being eliminated by European champions Spain in the semi-final.

It was their third successive major semi-final defeat by Spain, following Euro 2024 and the Nations League. The 57-year-old Deschamps announced last year that he would leave when his contract expired after the tournament.

France starting XI

Mike Maignan; Malo Gusto, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Theo Hernandez; Warren Zaire-Emery, Rayan Cherki, Adrien Rabiot; Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe (captain), Desire Doue.

England starting XI

Dean Henderson; Jarell Quansah, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence ; Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice (captain); Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Marcus Rashford.