World Cup third-place game, explained: Why it's played, do goals count toward Golden Boot and more to know

Part of FIFA's pitch to the public after expanding the World Cup to 48 teams was the total number of matches: 104, up from 64 in 2022.

Each match came with a number, from No. 1 through No. 104. No. 103 might be the most unique game of the tournament.

While there were a small handful of effectively meaningless games in the group stage, Saturday's third-place game is the only one between two eliminated teams. France and England both saw their dreams crushed in the semifinals, but their journey continues at the World Cup with one more battle in Miami on Saturday.

Here's what you need to know about the third-place game, why it's played and whether it counts toward the Golden Boot race.

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Why is there a World Cup third-place game?

The World Cup third-place game is what it sounds like: a game to determine a third-place finisher behind the two finalists, who will rank first and second.

No, this isn't the Olympics, where the medal system is well established and a bronze medal is still coveted. Still, the concept of a third-place game at the World Cup is about as old as the tournament itself. The first third-place game was held in 1934, which was the second World Cup.

Officially designated as the "bronze final" by FIFA, the third-place game carries serious weight toward the FIFA World Rankings, gives players the chance to add goals and assists to their official World Cup records and, of course, gives teams a chance at a prize.

On FIFA's end, the game is an opportunity to sell tickets, bring in viewers and make money. FIFA wouldn't be able to convince every losing team along the way to play extra games, but one additional game between prominent teams is something the organization can get away with.

In some cases, third place is considered a major accomplishment for a team that perhaps didn't expect to be in the semifinals. Both Croatia and Morocco were motivated to play for third place in 2022, and Croatia celebrated on the field after winning.

The dynamic between France and England isn't quite the same. France had every expectation of winning the World Cup, while England was mere minutes from advancing to the final before allowing a classic Argentina comeback. Whether that will affect their motivation on the field is unclear, but both teams knew that a third-place game was the destination if they lost in the semifinals.

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Does third-place game count toward Golden Boot?

The third-place game does count toward the Golden Boot and all official World Cup statistics. As Match 103 in the 2026 World Cup, this is considered an official World Cup game.

This year, the third-place game could have massive implications in the Golden Boot race. Kylian Mbappe enters the weekend tied with Lionel Messi with eight goals but leading the race with three assists to Messi's two. Both play this weekend under much different circumstances.

Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, meanwhile, each have six goals, while Ousmane Dembele has five. It would take an unlikely turn of events for anyone from that trio to win the Golden Boot, but the door is at least still open.

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Does third-place game winner get a trophy?

The third-place winner gets a bronze medal for its efforts, similar to the Olympics.

In 2022, FIFA held a presentation for Croatia on the field after a win over Morocco in the third-place game, presenting the squad with medals.

World Cup third-place game prize money

The third-place winner receives $29 million in prize money, compared to $27 million for the fourth-place finisher, according to The Athletic. The winner of the World Cup receives $50 million, while the runner-up is much closer to third than first at $33 million.

History of World Cup third-place game

Here's every third-place game in World Cup history and its result:

Only two World Cups didn't feature a third-place game: the first, which didn't declare a third-place finisher, and 1950, which held a round-robin final between four teams rather than a bracket-style tournament.

Germany has won the most third-place games with three victories, while Croatia, Poland, Brazil and France have each won two.