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WORLD CUP 2026 · Saturday, 18 July 2026 at 22:00 BST
France
4 – 6
England

Match preview

England carry the rating edge but it's not large. Either side could nick it.

35%
France
23%
Draw
42%
England
Model fair odds
France
2.86
Draw
4.35
England
2.38

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

France
35%
Draw
23%
England
42%
Elo rating: 2088 vs 2135 (-47)
Recent form: WDWWL vs WWWLW
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 35% / 23% / 42%
Most likely scores
Draw 1–1 (12%)
England 1–0 (10%)
France 1–0 (9%)
England 2–1 (9%)
Why England are favourites (42%)
  • England carry the higher Elo rating (47 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • France won 3 of their last five (3W 1D 1L)
  • England won 4 of their last five (4W 1L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 35% / 23% / 42% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

England should shade possession but the gap is small enough that midfield control will decide territory. With little between the sides on ratings, a set piece or an individual moment is the most likely difference — expect a competitive game where the first goal heavily shapes what follows.

Expected goals: France 1.2 · England 1.4

Quick stats

MetricFranceEngland
Elo rating20882135
Last 5 record3W 1D 1L4W 1L
Goals last 51120
Goals conceded last 587
Clean sheets last 523

France — last 5

  • Wv Belgium4–1
  • Dv Italy1–1
  • W@ Belgium1–0
  • W@ Türkiye1–0
  • Lv England4–6

England — last 5

  • Wv Czechia3–0
  • W@ Croatia7–0
  • W@ Czechia2–0
  • Lv Spain2–3
  • W@ France6–4

Head to head

18 Jul 2026
France
4 – 6
England
10 Dec 2022
England
1 – 2
France
13 Jun 2017
France
3 – 2
England
11 Jun 2012
France
1 – 1
England

Confirmed lineups

England · 4-1-4-1
  1. 13D. Henderson G
  2. 26J. Quansah D
  3. 2E. Konsa D
  4. 6M. Guehi D
  5. 25D. Spence D
  6. 4D. Rice M
  7. 7B. Saka M
  8. 17M. Rogers M
  9. 21E. Eze M
  10. 11M. Rashford M
  11. 22I. Toney F
France ·
  1. 16M. Maignan G
  2. 2M. Gusto D
  3. 15I. Konate D
  4. 26M. Lacroix D
  5. 19T. Hernandez D
  6. 18W. Zaire-Emery M
  7. 14A. Rabiot M
  8. 11M. Olise M
  9. 24R. Cherki M
  10. 20D. Doue M
  11. 10K. Mbappe F

Key matchups

K. Mbappe vs E. Konsa

France's focal point in attack against the heart of England's defence.

M. Olise vs M. Rogers

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

I. Toney vs I. Konate

England's main outlet — how France's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.