Former England captain Alan Shearer criticizes FIFA’s World Cup third-place play-off ahead of England’s match against France. In comments reported by outlets, Shearer calls the fixture “meaningless” and describes it as “absolute nonsense,” arguing that it should be scrapped. Both sources note that Shearer has previously questioned the value of the third-place match and points to its long history in the competition. They say the play-off was first introduced in 1934. The coverage frames Shearer’s remarks as part of broader discussion around the format of major international tournaments, delivered in the context of the upcoming England-France fixture. No alternative tournament format is proposed in the provided reports; the focus is on Shearer’s criticism of the purpose and relevance of the third-place match. The reports do not mention any specific response from FIFA or tournament organizers, and they do not provide new evidence or data beyond Shearer’s stated views and the historical background of the fixture’s introduction.