Deschamps rejects France players’ request for night out before England play-off

France head coach Didier Deschamps has rejected a request from his players for a night out ahead of Saturday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place play-off against England.

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, several members of the France squad had asked for a free evening following their 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain, hoping to use the opportunity to clear their heads before their final match of the tournament.

Deschamps, however, turned down the request, with the France boss determined to ensure his side do not finish the World Cup with back-to-back defeats.

The French squad travelled from their training base in Boston to Miami on Thursday as preparations continued for the clash with England.

England, meanwhile, head into the third-place play-off after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.