'No one wanted to play for third place' - Konate

July 17, 2026

French defender Ibrahima Konate has expressed that the World Cup third-place playoff match between France and England is a game neither team desires to participate in. The match comes after both nations were eliminated from contention for the World Cup championship. Konate's candid remarks highlight the awkward position teams find themselves in when competing for third place rather than the trophy they ultimately sought.

Who is affected

France national football team
England national football team (specifically England Men's Football Team)
Ibrahima Konate (France defender)
Players from both teams who must compete in the third-place playoff

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article beyond Konate making statements about the third-place playoff match.

Why it matters

This matters because it reveals the psychological challenge and disappointment teams face after falling short of their ultimate goal of winning the World Cup. The third-place playoff represents an anticlimactic conclusion for teams that entered the tournament with championship aspirations, highlighting the emotional toll of near-misses in elite international competition and the perceived lack of value in consolation matches compared to the main prize.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC