Sports
France vs. England Best Bets: Three Picks for the World Cup Third-Place Match
July 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; France’s Kylian Mbappe looks dejected after the match as France are eliminated from the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images It’s not where either team wanted to be, but France and England will play in the World Cup third-place game on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Over the course of World Cup history, the third-place match has unique dynamics that bettors can leverage to their advantage.
Let’s take a look at our three best bets for the encounter.
First-half Total
One unique aspect of this fixture is that enthusiasm and urgency often peak earlier in the encounter.
And that opens up arguably the best wagering opportunity here on a high first-half total.
Since the tournament expanded for the first time in 1982, the first-half total has gone over 2.5 goals on six of 11 occasions, and it has landed exactly on two goals twice.
The wager here is then on an Asian first-half total over 2.0 goals at +270 odds and an implied 27% probability. The bet is void if the total lands exactly on two.
Asian Total: Over 2.0 goals (+270, Parx)
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Goal Bands
Goals generally come a lot more freely in the third-place encounter, and the betting line on the total has adjusted as such, with wagers on the teams combining for four or more at almost even money.
As can happen in international football, that creates a wagering opportunity not on one side of the distribution curve, but in the middle.
Since the first World Cup expansion in 1982, goals have flowed freely in this encounter, but not that freely. The total has never gone above five in 90 minutes. (France required extra time to defeat Belgium 4-2 in 1986).
Given that trend, the best 90-minute totals wager is a 3-5 goal band bet. With -130 odds and an implied 56.5% probability, it has cashed on nine of those 11 occasions since 182.
Goal bands: 3-5 total goals (-130, BetMGM)
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Money Line
The money line draw rarely carries value in the third-place match, which has finished level after 90 minutes only once.
And when you’re trying to decide who to back in a situation like this, motivation matters as much as talent.
The French have the edge in both. Les Bleus will arguably be the side with more to prove after a 2-0 semifinal loss to Spain. Kylian Mbappe called his team’s performance unworthy of a World Cup semifinal. And while French manager Didier Deschamps is imperfect, he is also deeply beloved by most of his players. It’s his last match at the helm, and Les Bleus should be motivated to try and give him a proper sendoff.
Meanwhile, the English will likely feel more rattled by the nature of their defeat to Argentina, letting a late lead slip from their grasp. There are signs of friction between German manager Thomas Tuchel and some of their stars. And if this becomes a battle of reserves versus reserves — as third-place games often are — then France’s talent advantage becomes even greater.
So while it might seem high at first, the -107 odds on the French money line may actually represent a bargain.
Money Line: France (-107, BetRivers)
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Sports
Mauro Schmid claims first Tour de France win on hilly Stage 13
Mauro Schmid won Stage 13 of the Tour de France from Dole to Belfort on Friday. Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid conquered the longest stage of this year’s Tour de France to collect his first stage win on Friday.
Schmid, 26, outdueled Colombia’s Harold Tejada at the finish of hilly Stage 13 to complete the 205.8-kilometer race from Dole to Belfort in four hours, six minutes and 58 seconds.
Aside from Schmid, the big winner Friday was Grreat Britain’s Tom Pidcock, who climbed from 10th to fourth in the overall standings. He slashed his deficit from 11:49 to 4:15 as he finished third in the stage.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar remained in control of the yellow jersey. The Slovenian maintained his 3:36 lead over Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard. Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel, Pidcock and Spain’s Juan Ayuso complete the top five.
In the wake of Thursday’s crash at the finish, two riders did not compete in Stage 13. Colombia’s Francisco Gaviria and Belgium’s Jenno Berckmoes dropped out due to broken collarbones.
For Saturday’s Stage 14, the riders will stay in the mountains during a 155.3-kilometer trek from Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fettering.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Mauricio Pochettino to decide future with USMNT in coming weeks
July 6, 2026; Seattle, Washington, U.S.; U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino gives instructions to Alex Freeman. Mandatory Credit: Albert Gea-Reuters via Imagn Images Argentina’s Mauricio Pochettino is weighing whether to coach the United States Men’s National Team for the next four years, which would include the 2030 World Cup hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain.
Pochettino has been engaged in contract talks to stay with the USMNT side that reached the round of 16 in this World Cup. His current deal expires when the World Cup final is played Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Pochettino provided a general timetable for his decision on Thursday during a Zoom interview with Spanish outlet Cadena Cope.
“Look, we’re there. We’re watching. We’re analyzing,” Pochettino said in Spanish. “I received an offer for continuity and we’ll see. … In the coming weeks, we’ll make a decision.”
Pochettino, who will be in Barcelona when Argentina and Spain meet in Sunday’s final, suggested the final is a “50/50” proposition.
“Perhaps Spain’s organization and possession game might control the position and the match a little more in the spaces,” Pochettino said. “But I believe Argentina is a team that handles the timing very well, has a lot of patience throughout the match and has that aura that (Lionel) Messi gives off.
“Even at almost 40 years old, he continues to have and continues to impose that charisma, that respect that his opponents have for him, and I think that makes them a fearsome team.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Air quality alerts not yet threat to World Cup final
MetLife Stadium is shown, Thursday, July 16, 2026 during an air quality alert. Whether the air quality will play a part in the World Cup Final on Sunday remains to be seen. Hazy skies and negative air quality drifting from wildfires burning in Canada and the Boundary Waters region into Minnesota do not currently represent a threat to the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday afternoon, FIFA confirmed on Friday.
The upper Midwest and parts of the Northeast are being impacted by segments of thick smoke, and air quality was enough of a concern on Thursday night that MLS postponed the Chicago Fire-Vancouver Whitecaps match scheduled to be played at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The World Cup final is set for Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The air quality was deemed “unhealthy for everyone” on Thursday by the New York Office of Emergency Management.
While conditions were better Friday in the region, an air quality alert was issued by the National Weather Service along with warnings about “potentially worsening” warnings Saturday. The forecast Saturday was for a chance of thunderstorms, high of 80 degrees and winds at 10 to 15 mph.
Very light (5 mph to 8 mph) winds are forecast Sunday with a high of 81.
–Field Level Media
Mauro Schmid claims first Tour de France win on hilly Stage 13
Mauricio Pochettino to decide future with USMNT in coming weeks
