Losing in a World Cup semi-final is extremely painful – but nations are given a chance to play one more time to claim third place.
Some may see it as a chance to redeem themselves after missing out on the showpiece final, while others will just want to go home.
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But either way, players have to step out onto the pitch again to play for the bronze medal at the tournament.
England lost 2-0 to Belgium in the third place playoff at the 2018 World Cup while Croatia took home the bronze medal by beating Morocco four years ago.
Despite the newly expanded World Cup seeing over 100 games scheduled in for this summer’s tournament, the third place playoff has remained.
Is there a third-place playoff at the 2026 World Cup?
There will be a third-place playoff game at the 2026 World Cup.
Offically called the ‘Match for third place’, it will be played on the day before the final, on Saturday, July 18.
It will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The 65,000-capacity arena is the home to NFL side, the Miami Dolphins, and is hosting seven games in total this summer.
The playoff is going to be the 103rd game of the newly expanded tournament, with kick-off in the UK set for 10pm.
The weather has been a big talking point at the tournament and conditions in Miami are expected to be hot and humid with temperatures topping 35C.
The final will then be held at the MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday, July 19 at 8pm BST.
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Past third-place playoff winners
Four years ago at the 2022 World Cup, it was Croatia who finished third by winning the playoff.
They beat Morocco 2-1 in Qatar following their respective defeats to Argentina and France.
In 2018, England lost to Belgium in the third-place playoff, with the Netherlands beating Brazil in their clash in 2014.
- 2022 – Croatia 2-1 Morocco
- 2018 – Belgium 2-0 England
- 2014 – Netherlands 3-0 Brazil
- 2010 – Germany 3-2 Uruguay
- 2006 – Germany 3-1 Portugal
- 2002 – Turkey 3-2 Korea Republic
World Cup 2026: Dates and details
The 2026 World Cup got underway on Thursday, June 11 and run until the final on Sunday, July 19.
There will be 13 different kick-off times, ranging from 5pm to 5am in the UK, with the most frequent being 8pm.
It will be held across three countries for the first time, in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
And eSPORTY will be providing live commentaries, build-up and reaction to all of the matches across the tournament.
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World Cup WhatsApp
Don’t miss an update from eSPORTY in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.
Search for ‘eSPORTY World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure eSPORTY energy.
It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings.
Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.
