Kylian Mbappe is available for France's meeting with England in the World Cup third-place play-off, with Didier Deschamps viewing the forward's chase for the Golden Boot as a "legitimate" motivation. 

France and England will face off for the bronze medal in Miami on Saturday, after Les Bleus were comfortably beaten by Spain and the Three Lions saw a 1-0 lead overturned late on by Argentina in their respective semi-finals.

It will be the fourth time that France have competed in the World Cup's third-place play-off, with only Germany (five, including West Germany) appearing in that match more often.

They defeated West Germany 6-3 in 1958 and beat Belgium 4-2 in 1986, while their other previous appearance resulted in a 3-2 defeat to Poland in 1982.

While both teams will have been disappointed to miss out on Sunday's showpiece match, Mbappe may be particularly keen to retain his place in Deschamps' line-up.

He is tied with Lionel Messi at the top of the 2026 World Cup scoring charts, with eight goals, though the Argentina captain is currently on course to land the award as he has four assists, compared to Mbappe's three.  

England duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham also retain outside hopes of landing the prize, having scored six goals and registered one assist apiece.

In addition, Mbappe's overall tally of 20 World Cup goals puts him just one shy of Messi in the all-time charts.

The Frenchman has not held that record at any point in this tournament, thanks to the form of his rival, so Saturday's game will be his last chance to claim that honour until the 2030 tournament.

Asked if Mbappe would be involved at Friday's pre-match press conference, Deschamps said: "He's available.

"There are always reasons for motivation; we analyse what they can do on the pitch. Kylian doesn't need that leverage, but the fact he has this individual objective is also legitimate. He may have other things in his head. 

"It's not a nothing match. It won't change our lives, but it's better to finish third than fourth.

"How many teams had already gone home before the semi-finals? It's 44 of them! We're still here. We always have duties when we are with the French team. 

"We will do everything to make it go well. We have a responsibility towards the millions of French people. When you come here, and I've been here for 25 years, you have a duty.

"I'm going to rotate, yes. Some players can't play, and also there are other factors that I understand – they will guide my choices."

Saturday's game will also mark the end of Deschamps' 14-year stint in charge of France, with the 2018 World Cup-winning boss set to leave the role following his 187th game. 

His 121 wins are the most of any head coach in France's history (D35 L30), and he is already the outright record holder for most World Cup games by a manager (this will be his 27th).

Only Tele Santana (80% – 8/10) and Lionel Scaloni (79% – 11/14) have overseen at least 10 matches at the competition while bettering Deschamps' 76.9% win rate (20/26).

Deschamps is also one of just three men to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, alongside Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer, having worn the captain's armband when France triumphed on home soil in 1998.

Asked what it will mean to sit in the France dugout for the final time, he said: "I know that the end of the road is [on Saturday].

"No one is going to cry here, but I know that I will miss the French team. 

"I have had the privilege for 14 years to experience magical but also difficult moments. But life goes on. I'm positive by nature, I know that what comes next will be good too. 

"It's the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me. Coaching has taken up 25 years of my life, and it leaves a mark."