Overview
- France and England are due to meet in Miami on Saturday for the World Cup third‑place match and both coaches have publicly said their players do not want to play.
- FIFA has kept the playoff since it was reintroduced in 1934 to settle an on‑field podium and the fixture has become a regular part of World Cups even as UEFA stopped holding a third‑place game after 1980.
- Reporters note the match delivers commercial benefits for FIFA and hosts by adding a ticketed stadium event and another global broadcast window and has been reported to carry extra prize money and FIFA ranking points for the winner.
- Critics point to player welfare and club commitments, saying beaten semi‑finalists are often physically and mentally drained and that extra matches disrupt pre‑season plans and recovery.
- Commentators link the debate to past U.S. examples such as the NFL’s 1960s Playoff Bowl and note third‑place games can still produce memorable records and high‑scoring matches despite limited perceived sporting value.