France and England will face each other in Saturday's third-place playoff, a World Cup fixture with roots stretching back to 1934 that nonetheless generates little genuine enthusiasm from either squad. Whilst such matches have historically delivered engaging performances and produced higher goal averages than World Cup finals, both managers and players have openly admitted their reluctance to compete in what amounts to a tournament afterthought.

England enters with a poor record in third-place deciders, having lost both previous appearances. Despite the expressed lack of motivation from both camps, the encounter remains one of only two remaining matches in the tournament, offering a final opportunity for either side to secure a consolation achievement, however diminished its value may seem to those competing.