Tuchel to Make Tweaks in Battle for Bronze

England are set for their final appearance at the 2026 World Cup when they take on France in the third-place play-off in Miami tonight.

The Three Lions are primed to make changes following their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Wednesday, with the likes of Declan Rice and Reece James both likely to be rested after struggling through the tournament with illness and injury respectively.

Many critics view the match as a pointless exercise, but there is pressure on Thomas Tuchel to deliver a responsive performance, after handing the initiative to Argentina with a raft of defensive substitutions in the wake of Anthony Gordon’s second-half opener in Atlanta.

Tuchel defended those decisions when he faced the media in Florida yesterday, while his employers have confirmed their backing of the German, who is in line to lead England at Euro 2028, which they’re hosting alongside Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have scored 12 of England’s 14 World Cup goals between them, are both likely to start once again as they make one final play for the Golden Boot.

The Englishmen have six goals apiece, but find themselves two goals behind France’s Kylian Mbappe, who himself needs goals to put himself ahead of Lionel Messi in the race for the top scorer prize.

Saturday’s match will be the final one of a superb tenure for French boss Didier Deschamps, who will leave his post after 14 years in charge.

The 56-year-old will depart with a World Cup and Nations League title to show for his efforts, as well as runs to the finals in the 2022 World Cup and 2016 Euros.

Changes are expected in the French line-up too, with goalkeeper Brice Samba and legendary midfielder N’Golo Kante both likely to get their first minutes of the tournament.