Former England captain, Alan Shearer, has criticised FIFA’s decision to stage the World Cup Bronze match, describing the third-place playoff as “pathetic” and questioning its relevance.
Before attention shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey, England and France will meet in Miami on Saturday night to decide third place.
The match, which kicks off at 10 p.m. UK time, comes just days after both nations suffered painful semi-final defeats, leaving little excitement surrounding the contest.
Although the third-place
playoff—rebranded as the Bronze match for the 2026 tournament, has been part of the World Cup since 1934, calls for its removal have grown louder in recent years.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer argued that the fixture places unnecessary strain on players while serving mainly as a commercial venture for FIFA.
“Nonsense, rubbish, pathetic,” the former striker said on the Rest is Football when asked for his thoughts on the Bronze match.
“FIFA are going on about player welfare, hydration breaks and all that. Do you think player welfare is taken into account when both teams have lost and within three or four days they’re being asked to play a meaningless third and fourth-place play-off?
“Not only that, in Miami, in the heat. So talk to me about player welfare, where is it there?
“What is it played for? It’s only played for one reason: to make more money. So, it’s pathetic.
“You’ve heard the managers, what they feel, and I’m pretty sure if you speak to any of the players, they’d rather be home now and getting over the disappointment and trying to get a holiday.”
Despite criticism of the fixture, the encounter could significantly influence the race for the Golden Boot. France captain Kylian Mbappe, with eight goals and three assists, is chasing Argentina’s Lionel Messi, who has eight goals and four assists ahead of the final.
England duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham also remain in contention after scoring six goals apiece during the tournament.
Former England striker Gary Lineker, whose side lost the 1990 World Cup third-place playoff to Italy, admitted the fixture is far from desirable but insisted players still compete once the match begins.
“From personal experience, it’s better than going out in the group stage but it’s not the game you want to play,” England legend Gary Lineker, who lost the 1990 World Cup third-place to Italy, added.
“When you go onto the pitch your competitive edge kicks in and you want to win the game anyway. The performance is probably important for Thomas Tuchel.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly eager to finish the tournament on a positive note following criticism of his cautious approach in the semi-final defeat to Argentina, with victory over France set to secure England’s best World Cup finish since their 1966 triumph.
However, Tuchel acknowledged the emotional challenge of preparing his players for the Bronze match.
“None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match,” he said before the game.
“They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that. Everyone plays to win the World Cup, but that’s how it is.”
