On the coming Saturday they will meet again at the stadium in Miami in the state of Florida in America to determine who will take 3rd place in the 2026 World Cup between England and France.
These two countries will not be meeting for the first time on Saturday. No, they have had clashes and tests of strength 3 times before in different World Cup tournaments. So this will be the 4th time they will meet again in America.
Despite their geographical closeness and centuries of rivalry, the two countries have only faced each other three times on the biggest stage of world football. When it comes to football rivalry in the continent of Europe and even the whole world, you can never leave France and England out. But surprisingly, these two neighboring big countries have not often gotten the chance to compete against each other in the FIFA World Cup.
In more than ninety years of the history of this tournament, the two countries have only faced each other three times. Each meeting carries a special story and history that football fans will never forget.
1966: England's Dominance At Home
Their first meeting happened in 1966, when England hosted the tournament. The two countries played in the first group at the famous Wembley Stadium in the city of London.
England got an easy win with 2-0, where the famous striker at the time, Roger Hunt, scored both goals. This victory helped England get a spot in the next round, and they went on to win the World Cup for the first and only time they have to this day.
1982: Robson Shook France
After 16 years, the two countries met again in Spain in the first group stage. This match made special history even before the game had gone on long.
England's midfielder, Bryan Robson, scored the first goal against France in just 27 seconds after kickoff — which was the fastest goal in the history of the tournament at that time. Robson scored a second, and then Paul Mariner made it three, as England won 3-1, despite the only goal Gerard Soler scored for France.
"The goal Bryan Robson scored in 27 seconds in 1982 remains one of the great wonders in the history of the rivalry between the two countries."
2022: France's Revenge In Qatar
Then their third meeting came in 2022, and it was the most important because they met in the Quarter-finals in the country of Qatar. This was the first time France got a win over England in the World Cup.
Aurélien Tchouaméni opened with a spectacular long-range goal, before England captain, Harry Kane, equalized from the penalty spot. But then France's experienced striker, Olivier Giroud, scored a second with a header. England got a chance to level the game late on through another penalty, but Harry Kane shot the ball over, and that ended England's hope in the tournament. France advanced to the final where they played against Argentina.
