England Stuns With Kane, Bellingham, and Pickford on the Bench
England's starting lineup for the third-place match against France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup raised more questions than answers.
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Jordan Pickford, three of the Three Lions' most important players throughout the tournament, were left out of the starting XI. Thomas Tuchel's decision immediately drew attention, especially because France named a near full-strength side for Didier Deschamps' final match as national team head coach.
An Opportunity for Those Who Waited All Tournament
The most logical explanation points to a combination of factors.
Tuchel admitted before the match that neither the English nor the French players wanted to be involved in the third-place playoff, since both teams had dreamed of reaching the final. Even so, he also made it clear that England had to compete professionally and end the tournament in the best possible way.
With that in mind, the German coach decided to give opportunities to players who had seen limited action during the World Cup.
It is a relatively common decision in this type of match. After the physical and emotional toll of a semifinal defeat, many coaches use the final game to reward squad players who spent most of the tournament waiting for their chance.
Still, the decision carries greater weight because of the names left out.
Kane is the captain of England and one of the team's leading attacking figures. Bellingham once again served as the driving force in midfield, while Pickford produced another strong World Cup, making several key saves and further strengthening his place as one of the most important goalkeepers in the recent history of the Three Lions.
A Decision That Could Bring More Criticism
The rotation comes at a delicate moment for Thomas Tuchel.
Following the semifinal defeat to Argentina, the manager faced heavy criticism over his tactical approach and his failure to end the trophy drought that has followed England since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
That is why it is surprising to see him rest several of his biggest stars while the team still has the chance to finish on the podium.
Third place does not carry the prestige of a final, but defeating a powerhouse like France would allow England to close the tournament with an important victory and give Tuchel stronger arguments in support of his project, which has been under intense scrutiny since the loss to Argentina.
France Is Taking Nothing for Granted
On the other side, Didier Deschamps chose a completely different approach.
In the final match of his historic tenure with Les Bleus, the French coach selected nearly all of his regular starters. The race for the Golden Boot is also still alive, with Kylian Mbappé trying to catch Lionel Messi, while the French squad is determined to give Deschamps a winning farewell.
Many players see the third-place playoff as an uncomfortable fixture, coming only days after losing the chance to compete for the trophy.
For England, however, it represents more than just a match for bronze.
Should the substitutes rise to the occasion and the Three Lions defeat a France side featuring almost all of its stars, Thomas Tuchel could earn some breathing room from the criticism and finish the World Cup with a victory that helps strengthen a project still trying to return England to the top of world football.
