Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday, France coach Didier Deschamps says his team would prefer not to play the match against England. In comments reported by NDTV, Deschamps frames the situation as one where both teams appear reluctant to participate, echoing the idea that England also “don’t want to play” while France feel the same. The statement is presented as an admission of low enthusiasm for the playoff rather than a comment on preparation or team selection details. The report specifies that the match is set to be played between France and England in Miami as part of the World Cup third-place fixture. No additional reasons, logistical explanations, or alternative plans are provided in the available summaries. The remark is therefore the central new element described across the coverage: Deschamps’ view that the third-place game is not something France want to contest, with a similar sentiment attributed to England.