The match for third and fourth place in the 2026 World Cup carries stakes beyond the competition for the bronze medal, as it brings together the two highest market value teams in the tournament, with a total value of approximately 2.88 billion euros, according to data from Transfermarkt.

The two teams meet after France exited the tournament by losing to Spain in the semifinals, while England lost to Argentina, making the bronze medal an opportunity to compensate for the sporting disappointment, in addition to gaining financial and marketing benefits.

Sat, 18 2026

French Superiority

The French national team tops the list of 2026 World Cup teams in terms of market value with about 1.52 billion euros, while the English team ranks second with a value of 1.36 billion, according to Transfermarkt estimates.

The difference between the two lists is about 160 million euros in favor of France, reflecting the amount of talent the two teams possess and the presence of their players in the top European league clubs.

Stars Worth Millions

Kylian Mbappé leads the list of French players with a market value of 180 million euros, followed by Michael Olise with 150 million, then Désiré Doué with 120 million.

In the English team, Jude Bellingham tops the list with a value of 130 million, followed by Declan Rice with 120 million, then Bukayo Saka with 110 million.

These figures do not represent actual transfer prices, but rather estimates of market value based on age, technical level, contract duration, and performance with clubs and national teams.

Bronze Awards

The match not only awards the bronze medal, but also carries financial gains, as the national federation of the third-place team receives $29 million, compared to $27 million for the fourth-place team, according to the prize distribution mechanism for the 2026 World Cup adopted by FIFA.

The direct financial difference between the two positions is $2 million, while the prize goes to the national federation, with each federation determining the mechanism for distributing bonuses to players and coaching staff.

Marketing Gains

The importance of winning third place extends beyond the financial prize, as it gives the winning team a morale boost before the start of the new season, enhances its presence among sponsors, and increases the marketing value of several of its stars.

The match also provides an additional opportunity for broadcast and sponsorship partners to reach a global audience, benefiting from the immense popularity of both teams and the presence of some of the world's top football players in their squads.

Sat, 18 2026

Final Bet

Despite France and England exiting the title race, the third-place match brings together two teams each worth over a billion euros, making the bronze medal more than just a medal, but an opportunity to reap financial and marketing gains and end the tournament on a positive note.