Is there a third-place playoff at the 2026 World Cup?

May 8, 2026 - 16:15

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 some may just want to go home.

But either way, the players have to step out onto the pitch again to play for the bronze medal at the tournament.

And it’s going to be no different in North America this summer…

There will be a third-place playoff game at the 2026 World Cup.

It will be played on the day before the final, on Saturday, July 18.

The playoff is going to be the 103rd game of the newly expanded tournament, with kick-off in the UK set for 10pm.

Miami, Florida will play host to the fixture.

Past third-place playoff winners

Four years ago at the 2022 World Cup, it was Croatia who finished third place 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.

The 2026 World Cup will get 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 talkSPORT will be providing live commentaries, build-up and reaction to all of the matches across the tournament.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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