France vs England - All-time Head-to-head record ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

In the France vs England head-to-head record, the Three Lions hold the advantage over Les Bleus.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is drawing to a close, but there is still one final battle before Sunday’s showpiece event. France and England will meet in the third-place playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Both nations are determined to end their campaigns on a positive note after suffering semi-final defeats.

England saw their dream of a second World Cup title come to an end after a 2-1 loss to defending champions Argentina. Meanwhile, the French nation were edged out 2-0 by Spain in another closely contested semi-final. Although the ultimate prize is no longer within reach, the bronze medal remains a significant achievement.

The encounter will mark the 33rd meeting between England and France in senior men’s international football. History narrowly favours the Three Lions.

Also read: France vs England Preview – Prediction, team news, lineups | FIFA World Cup 2026 Third Place Play-off

France vs England: All-time head-to-head record

England and France have shared one of international football’s oldest rivalries since first meeting in 1923. England dominated the early decades of the fixture. They continue to hold the overall advantage, recording 17 victories from the previous 32 meetings.

Les Bleus have won 10 matches. Meanwhile, five contests have ended level.

However, Les Bleus have enjoyed greater success in recent years. They have lost just three of the last 13 encounters. They remain unbeaten against England in competitive fixtures since the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

• Matches played: 32
• France wins: 10
• England wins: 17
• Draws: 5
• FIFA World Cup meetings: 3
• UEFA European Championship meetings: 5
• International friendlies: 24

Also read: France vs England – Five key battles to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026 Third Place Play-off

All Previous meetings

England established complete control over the fixture during the first half of the 20th century. The Three Lions won 10 of the first 11 meetings between the two nations. It included a remarkable 6-0 victory in 1927, which remains the largest margin of victory in the history of the rivalry.

Legendary striker Dixie Dean scored twice during that emphatic triumph. England consistently proved too strong for their continental neighbours.

As France developed into one of Europe’s strongest footballing nations, the rivalry became increasingly competitive. England defeated Les Bleus 2-0 in the group stage of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, a tournament they famously went on to win. All before recording another memorable 3-1 victory when the sides met again at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Between those World Cup successes, the teams also traded victories in friendlies and European Championship qualifiers. It includes France’s biggest-ever win in the fixture—a 5-2 triumph in Paris in 1963.

The modern era has largely belonged to France. The sides played out a goalless draw at UEFA Euro 1992, while England earned a 1-0 friendly victory in Paris in 1997. France responded by defeating the Three Lions 2-0 at Wembley in 1999.

This was before producing one of the most dramatic matches in the rivalry at UEFA Euro 2004. Trailing 1-0 heading into stoppage time, Zinedine Zidane scored a stunning free-kick before converting a late penalty to snatch a remarkable 2-1 victory.

France continued their impressive run with friendly wins in 2008 and 2010. However, England claimed an emotional 2-0 victory at Wembley in 2015, just four days after the Paris terrorist attacks. The match was remembered as much for the moving tributes and the unity shown by supporters as for the football itself.

Les Bleus, however, responded with a thrilling 3-2 victory when the teams met again in Paris in 2017. The most recent meeting came in the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Aurélien Tchouaméni gave France the lead before Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot.

Olivier Giroud restored Les Bleus’ advantage midway through the second half. Although England were awarded another penalty late on, Kane fired his effort over the crossbar. France held on to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory.

They extended their unbeaten run against England in competitive fixtures and booked their place in the semi-finals.

France vs England: All Previous meeting results

• 15 May 1955: France 1-0 England – International Friendly
• 27 November 1957: England 4-0 France – International Friendly
• 3 October 1962: England 1-1 France – European Championship Qualifier
• 27 February 1963: France 5-2 England – European Championship Qualifier
• 20 July 1966: England 2-0 France – FIFA World Cup
• 12 March 1969: England 5-0 France – International Friendly
• 16 June 1982: England 3-1 France – FIFA World Cup
• 29 February 1984: France 2-0 England – International Friendly
• 19 February 1992: England 2-0 France – International Friendly
• 14 June 1992: France 0-0 England – UEFA European Championship
• 7 June 1997: France 0-1 England – International Friendly
• 10 February 1999: England 0-2 France – International Friendly
• 2 September 2000: France 1-1 England – International Friendly
• 13 June 2004: France 2-1 England – UEFA European Championship
• 26 March 2008: France 1-0 England – International Friendly
• 17 November 2010: England 1-2 France – International Friendly
• 11 June 2012: France 1-1 England – UEFA European Championship
• 17 November 2015: England 2-0 France – International Friendly
• 13 June 2017: France 3-2 England – International Friendly
• 10 December 2022: England 1-2 France – FIFA World Cup Quarter-final

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