World Cup 2026: France vs England Odds, Best Bets & Prediction

Betway odds, up to date at the time of writing and subject to change without notice.

France and England meet in the third-place match at this World Cup on July 18, just two days after frustrating semifinal exits for both sides. Les Bleus, beaten 2-0 by Spain, face a Three Lions side that lost 2-1 to Argentina in a match that went deep into the second half.

Uncertainty hangs over both squads heading into this fixture. William Saliba, injured in the semifinal, is doubtful for France's central defence, while Declan Rice, who came off at half-time against Norway on illness, remains a concern. These potential absences open spaces that feed directly into our best bet. On our sportsbook comparison for Canada, the -223 on over 2.5 goals reflects a market that expects goals.

Both teams to score: -223

France have scored six goals in four knockout matches, and England fourteen across seven games. With Saliba doubtful and France's central defence potentially reshuffled, Kane and Bellingham have the tools to find the net. Equally, Mbappe against an England backline that has been tested in this tournament is a constant danger. The -233 on both teams to score accurately captures the profile of this game: two attacking sides with specific defensive vulnerabilities on the night.

Betway and 888sport odds, correct at the time of writing and subject to change without notice.

The French side

France remain one of the most complete squads in the tournament despite the semifinal defeat against Spain (0-2). Mbappe, who had a minor knee concern in the quarterfinal against Morocco, returns to full fitness for this game and has scored four goals since the round of sixteen. The central question mark is William Saliba: injured during the semifinal, the Arsenal defender's participation is in doubt. Without him, Ibrahima Konate would step in with marginally less assurance against quick transitions, directly enhancing the case for both teams to score in a third-place context where defensive intensity typically drops.

Predicted Lineup France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Upamecano, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Doue, Olise; Mbappe.

The English side

England have produced one of their strongest recent tournament performances, eliminating Mexico (3-2 in the round of sixteen) and Norway (2-1 after extra time in the quarterfinal). Harry Kane has scored six goals in this World Cup, maintaining the output that makes him dangerous in any context. Jude Bellingham, influential throughout, scored both the equaliser and the extra-time winner against Norway. The concern is Declan Rice: his status remains uncertain after the illness substitution at half-time in the quarterfinal. Without Rice at full capacity, England's defensive structure in front of the back four loses its primary screen against French transitions, a gap that Mbappe and Dembele are well placed to exploit.

Predicted Lineup England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, Spence; Anderson, Mainoo; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Betway and 888sport odds, correct at the time of writing

France are the tactical favourites here. However, both teams possess the offensive resources to score, and the defensive uncertainties on each side make a multi-goal outcome the most likely scenario.

The market places France at 50% probability of winning (odds -118). Our estimate of 55% reflects a modest French edge, particularly if Rice is not fully fit and Mbappe returns to his round-of-sixteen form. The implied probability of the both teams to score market at -223 is approximately 69%; our estimate sits between 65% and 72%, supported by both teams' attacking profiles and the defensive uncertainties on each side.

In our view, the market correctly reads the broad balance between these two sides, but undervalues the cumulative impact of the potential absences: Saliba on one end, Rice on the other. Both gaps reduce defensive solidity and open this match to a both-teams-to-score outcome regardless of the final scoreline.

Our exact prediction: France 2-1 England

We back France to win 2-1. Three reasons underpin this verdict: Mbappe, with four goals since the round of sixteen, remains the most dangerous individual attacking threat on the pitch; England's defence has conceded in five of seven tournament games, making one goal from France close to certain; and France, even in a reshuffled defensive shape, can count on Maignan as one of the best goalkeepers of this tournament to limit England to one. Our call: France 2-1 England.