“Nobody cares” about the third place match is the most nauseatingly casual take on this subreddit.

[u/ShakeZulaOblongata]

It may be a reason beyond the understanding of fair-weather-every -4-years-out-of-the- woodworks soccer fans, but it is a reason nonetheless. Anyone who’s been watching the World Cup for a long time now could tell you: You DON’T want to be 4th place.

4th place is the biggest loser of the tournament. To carry the spotlight and attention with 3 with other teams for most of the tournament, only to bow out empty handed with that same spotlight on you is massive insult to injury.

When a dark horse team plays in it, it’s fulfilling to see them walk away with recognizable hardware for their efforts. When two known powerhouses countries face off in it, it’s absolutely a matter of pride.

People act like these games are 1-0 bores- they are not! They are anything but that! We get plenty of chaos and late game heroics in third place matches. The teams historically DO go out and try. It’s a completely false stigma that nobody is actually going to try. Literally go back and watch some of these games. Use your eyes if not your brain.

I’ve seen some terrible takes throughout this entire WC on this subreddit but this takes the cake for me. Some of y’all don’t clap for third place at the Olympics either huh.

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[u/Chillguy1968]

It depends on the country

Smaller nations will remember and see it like a achievement.

The big 7 nations like England, France, Argentina etc. don't care.

So its like 7 nations who don't care for 3rd place match and rest see it as achievement.

[u/Philnsophie]

This is a quote from Thomas Tuchel: “None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match.”

[u/cutehoops]

I feel like I’m the only person interested in this game, I just want to see England vs France even if it’s essentially a pointless friendly. I also want to savour all the football we have before the World Cup ends but that seems like a very unpopular opinion. Oh well, more football for me

I hope the teams do take it seriously and play properly (even if they’re not usual starting XI), it’s good to have a competitive mentality no matter how high importance the game is.

ETA: I’m not super excited about it or anything but I enjoy international football a lot so I’ll be watching because it’s Saturday night so why not.

[u/Puzzled-Bar5378 → u/cutehoops]

Seriously. England vs France is such a funny matchup.

[u/cutehoops → u/Puzzled-Bar5378]

Yeah, it’s a pretty high value match up for a 3rd place play-off. I think a lot of England fans and France fan are still finding the losses quite raw (which is very understandable) but because I’m a neutral, I can just enjoy the game as a fun friendly.

[u/Gariet1]

Haven’t the players and staff openly said the match is stupid? Are they casuals? Lol

[u/Trev0rDan5 → u/Gariet1]

Yes. The players and staff are casuals. The real fan is the OP, who is definitely not a casual. He has been watching the World Cup for a long time, I'll have you know!

[u/astronut321]

It’s actually the casuals who care about it that’s the funny part

[u/Disastrous_Feed_3135]

If teams care so much about 3rd place, why they allow reserve teams to play it ? Everyone remembers winners and runner ups of each world cup. Most people don't remember 3rd place teams. Can you name who got 3rd place in 2010 world cup without googling ?

[u/EggsBenedictusXVI]

"This match should never be played." - Louis van Gaal

“It’s not a game any team wants to play in." - Gareth Southgate

"Third and fourth place play off game is utter stupidity. Last thing any player wants." - Alan Shearer

"Nobody of our players, nobody of the French players wants to play for this match." - Thomas Tuchel

"... it is a nonsense game." - Phil Neville

"There's a third-place finish to play for... we have to accept it. We have no other choice." - Didier Deschamps

Real casuals eh. Glad a wise Redditor is setting them all straight.

[u/satplank]

Norway, for example, would fight for their lives on that Bronze medal match. They won bronze in Ice Hockey championships this year (cinderella story) and it would be the same if FIFA WC. But we got 2 big nations there instead who... well... it won't be headline news for them.

[u/Muntolion → u/satplank]

Absolutely. For Norway that Bronze medal would be one of the countries greatest sports achievements ever(Who am i kidding, it would be THE greatest). For England and France it's a symbol of failure.

[u/unstable-radioactive]

OP’s motion is NOT passed. It’s official “Nobody Cares”

[u/More_Pineapple3585]

ah, yes, one of those rare, elite fans who have deigned to drop their wisdom on the common folk. bless you sire.

[u/howler19]

It usually depends on who is in it. If both teams were contenders to win it and them being in the third place game is seen as a bit of a failure, it will feel a bit less important.

But if there’s a team involved that made history by even getting to the semi final it will mean a lot to them to earn third place.

[u/Far-Captain-9077 → u/howler19]

You just know if Cape Verde made it to that game they’d go all out fighting for it

[u/howler19 → u/Far-Captain-9077]

For sure, but you don’t have to go that far back in the tournament. It would have meant a lot to all four teams that lost in the QF because 3rd would have been their best ever finish.

[u/swissyfit]

Its not about 4th place ..

Its about the "Pissed off French" playing the "Pissed off English".

I will definitely watch it. I never watch the post match trophy stuff

[u/Habba84]

France probably don't care about 3rd place.

Cabo Verde would probably explode if they were 3rd.

[u/MysteriousBill4651 → u/Habba84]

As far as I'm concerned, Cabo Verde should play the loser of the final to determine 3rd place.

[u/triz___]

The most casual, fair weather, tournament tourist take is that the 3rd place play off match matters at all.

[u/Taboo2301]

We get to watch two depressed teams compete for an award they don't want. The only world cup game that has no impact on who might win the world cup. What is the point?

[u/Possee]

It seems you are the casual here

[u/Lower_Bat_8823]

First person I've ever seen with that opinion.

[u/camilatricolor]

Always a nice opportunity to let subs play a game without pressure. Specially for goalkeepers

[u/Suitable_You_6237]

i watch football every week, of course there is some care, but maybe a tenth of the care vs semifinal. the world cup is already lost. and also stop hating on people that only watch once every 4 years. there is no rule for watching and commenting on football. this gatekeeping is actually nauseating.

[u/Synonymous11]

The coaches and players say they don’t want to play in this game. Even they don’t care if they finish 4th instead of 3rd.

[u/Kalle_79]

LOL

Anyone using "casual" as a derogatory word is either an obnoxious elitist trying to gatekeep or a clueless edgelord trying to sound in-the-know.

There are only two reasons to "care" about the 3rd place final:

1) One of the teams is an overachieving darkhorse and a potential 3rd place would be an epic result and the crowning moment of a great run.

2) Golden boot contenders facing eachother in a zero-stakes match

But besides those, there's literally NOTHING to play for.

England or France don't care about "bronze" (the comparison with the Olympics is so off-target it barely deserves a mention), most players would rather be on a plane home/to a fancy holiday destination. Instead they'll have to jog around fo 100 more minutes playing for an inconsequential "trophy".

BTW, would you watch the "Minibowl" featuring the losers of the two conference finals? If not, isn't it a disgusting casual take?

[u/scrandlle → u/Kalle_79]

Yeah, this game is already so weird because it's like the whole tournament everyone is working down the games to either advance or get kicked out of the tournament. But now two losers go up against each other in another game after getting kicked out of the tournament? It feels odd. Like it exists outside the tournament kind of.

I will say though, France vs England makes it a bit more interesting. Would've been a fun matchup historically had they made it. But yeah, in 20 years even diehards will struggle to answer the trivia question of 'who placed third in the 2026 world cup?'

[u/AugustZion]

It's the risk vs. reward factor, OP. Potential risk of injury or suspension for bragging rights to the other 45 teams. Plus, the usual teams are upper echelon. Their fans, generally, won't care. It's all or nothing.

I love the WC but can't remember any teams that came in third or fourth place.

[u/deadlyspoons]

Coaches demonstrably assign the third-place match less competitive priority than a normal knockout match. They commonly rest regular starters, give tournament minutes to squad players, manage injuries and fatigue less aggressively, and use the fixture partly as a ceremonial or developmental opportunity.

France in 1986 changed seven starters, England in 2018 changed five, Croatia in 2022 changed five, and Germany did so in both 2006 and 2010.

What the lineup evidence cannot prove is that the players who are selected do not care. Reserve players may care intensely because they are receiving a rare World Cup start.

[u/causticandflippant]

OP Works for FIFA/FOX and wants to ensure somebody watches the game on a summer Saturday

[u/agoddamnlegend]

OP is really showing his ass here.

Tuchel, the literal coach of the England team, said neither team wants to play in this match.

I guess him and all the actual players are just casual soccer fan, rights?

[u/Shantashasta → u/agoddamnlegend]

To be fair the Tuchel and the England team didn't want to play in the 2nd half of the semi finals game.

[u/Longjumping-Pop7512]

The problem is; there nothing at stake. Perhaps FIFA should make rule that top 3 goes to automatic qualification for next world cup. 

[u/shapednoise]

If I have the opportunity to watch the English lose again, I’ll take it.

[u/Adventurous_Mood1303 → u/shapednoise]

“one more time”

[u/Crnigwkrepan]

We,Croatians cared,ofc we wanted gold,but 3rd was also very good.

[u/Admirable_Judge6592]

Our third-place finish at the 1994 World Cup is one of the greatest achievements in Swedish football history. TV still show highlights and talk about it very often.

[u/RedditAussie]

Croatia cared when they finished third back in France 98

[u/ImNakedWhatsUp → u/RedditAussie]

Sweden absolutely cared as well when they finished third back in 94.

Hell, every one here saying no one cares should ask any swede old enough to remember 1994 about that summer.

[u/dave_a86]

You say that they typically aren’t 1-0 bores and teams try.

That’s because in a game that matters both teams are worried about losing and getting eliminated so they’re usually tense, cagey matches.

Since they don’t really care if they lose this match as it doesn’t really mean anything they might as well have a go.

[u/AhoyDaniel]

OP check my history, I have been posting about football on reddit for over a decade and I've always thought that third place game is unnecessary. Even tuchel said no one wants to play it.

[u/BaarLenny]

"on this subreddit"

This opinion is shared by every professional in the football world (tv pundit, former players, the coach, journalists, the fans...). Many people at l'Équipe said that the game for the 3rd place should not exist in the first place.

[u/ohhhaley]

Personally, I’m going to watch and pretend like it’s the final I originally wanted.

[u/jameskinsella23]

I don't really care about the result but you have Mbappe, Kane and Bellingham all in contention. I'd love to see both teams go all out attack and have it finish 5-6

[u/mymentor79]

There's a reason the losing semi-finalists don't play one another in the tennis slams. It's because no one cares.

If you're knocked out in the semis then that's that. You had an amazing tournament.

[u/Ok-Perspective781]

Pretty sure both teams have publicly said they don’t want to play it. Because they don’t care.

[u/River_Sandhu]

I’m an England fan, we don’t want to play in this game, France also do not want to play this game.
Nobody ever wants to play in this game, after losing the semis teams just want to go home

[u/IronFlat]

I’ve watched every World Cup as a fan since ‘94. It’s true. Nobody cares about the third place match. It’s sad, but true.

[u/SeptimusMagnus]

I think it matters immensely in one scenario: for a team that had never gotten that far. It’s a measure of accomplishment and recognition for those nations. I definitely remember Croatia and Morocco being in that position off the top of my head. It mattered in a huge way for fans from those countries but for countries that have won a cup or played in a final those emotions are not really there because it’s a disappointment unless you lift the trophy. There is always pride. People love their countries even in places where conditions are not so good but it’s undeniable that for those who have been there anything but a trophy is failure.

[u/thowawaynumber354 → u/SeptimusMagnus]

You better believe that it mattered for Sweden in 94 and they already had a silver from 58.

[u/Wafkak → u/SeptimusMagnus]

In 2018 England didn't care, but Belgium did. As our previous best World Cup was 1986 where we lost in the semi final, and also lost the 2rd place game. So winning rhat third place game officially made the 2018 squad the best performance at any World Cup for Belgium.

[u/Every1BNice]

Yeah so no one cares

[u/Mistralicious]

I agree. The 3rd team is the only team besides the winner of the WC that goes out after a win. It's very important.

[u/TimeAd7759]

Be sick all you want....nobody cares

[u/Makki93]

It is also a matter of prize money for the domestic federations. 3rd gets a few mill more than 4th, which could impact the long term success of local recruiting and development.

This is of course not that huge for neither France nor England, as their federations are top tier. But for countries like Croatia/Morocco a few million extra could actually go a long way, if spent right.

[u/Ok-Run2845]

For the players, i understand: they come from the most hurting experience in four years for them. A lot of them still feel broken and hasn't recovered from that.

But for the viewers, specially for the neutral ones, i would never understand how you can say "No" to an extra match before the last one. A match between two great teams, the two that managed to reach the semifinals nonetheless, only one step short of the great finale! It's a hell of a match, one of the best ones that you can pray for at the beginning of the tournament. As a football fan, i have seen all the "consolation" matches in the world cups and i enjoyed every single one of them.

[u/bearded_turtle710]

Im new to football or soccer (as you all cringe when i say that) lol but i am looking forward to the game i think it still matters a third place finish gets recorded on the record books, sure it doesn’t have the shine that 1st place gets but history will still remember you and many nations would be thrilled to at least finish third. If the US somehow made it this far i would consider this our championship game basically us finishing third would be talked about for decades in the states. I am also having soccer withdrawl and running out of games to rewatch from my recorded games so selfishly i want to see some matches soon lol tbh england and france sound like petulant spoiled children who got told no for the first time and are pouting now, many countries would be thrilled to be here imo

[u/Lindorio2x]

This 3rd place match is equivalent to the Pop Tarts college football bowl game

[u/4thPlumlee → u/Lindorio2x]

Exactly. A top 2 game of the year behind only the championship.

[u/Wheremytendies]

Mbappe might be the only one who cares for the golden boot. Even then, its sour victory even if he gets it.

[u/YourHighness3550]

In all fairness, the England coach himself said no one on either team wants to play the game. So why should we be interested?

[u/Pure_Initial7202]

I’m a die hard football fan, also don’t give two ***** about the bronze medal game.

[u/Badger_1066]

I'd argue the opposite. It seems like only the Americans who only watch the world cup every 4 years care about it.

[u/pr2thej]

OK so you care, therefore everyone else must care right?

No-one cares mate, get over it.

[u/powchase]

Mbappé does, he’s still in the race for the golden boot

[u/bingowing88]

It’s obviously a bit sad and embarrassing to do this game after all the disappointment, but as an England fan, I care. It will be a great honour if we come third. I think France will beat us, but I hope it’s a fun game and the players enjoy it.

[u/187_47_2day → u/bingowing88]

Couldn't have said it better. I hope both teams have fun and nobody gets injured. I wouldn't even mind seeing the teams go out for pizza and ice cream together after the game

[u/seshtown]

I mean Tuchel himself said that his players don't want to play. But sure, u/ShakeZulaOblongata knows best.

[u/SkytrainToNowhere]

Hardly anyone can name who finished 4th in 2022 much less any tournament before that. And not caring about the 3rd place match has been a ting for generations before Reddit existed. Even the players don’t care so why should anyone else?

There’s a reason why “third place” is a thing celebrated at the Olympics. It’s because it’s usually awarded at the same time as the other medals.

This is essentially an exhibition “soccer” match and pretending that it’s a recent phenomenon or a casual fan’s take is ridiculous and performative.

[u/jakeyboy723]

At the Olympics, the Third Place match has meaning. The Bronze Medal is a part of the Olympics and is wider than football. That's where it makes sense.

But for this, not so much. Nobody cares, there's nothing to play for and nobody remembers who finished third. You're remembered as "Lost to X in the Semi Final". The 3rd/4th is barely even a footnote.

[u/thehenkan → u/jakeyboy723]

Ask any Swede and they'll care a hell of a lot more about the bronze in 1994 than the silver in 1958. Everybody - whether they were born or not - will be able to tell you we beat Romania at penalties. I have no idea who we faced in the other games. Third place absolutely means something, at least for teams that don't expect to reach the final in the first place.

Edit: lol I misremembered the details

[u/shatlouf]

As a french , we can loose 10 -0 that i wouldnt care . I wont even watch the match . Tuchel is right nobody gives a shit about it , except the federation that can have extra money from fifa , thats it .

[u/chronicbint → u/shatlouf]

As an English, I agree.

[u/IllAcanthopterygii36]

Here's what I think. Ah actually don't care.

[u/Nomofo79]

I didn’t want England to win the WC because it’s part of my culture to root against them, but honestly I like them (team and country) and they deserve to do well. I might secretly support them for this match but don’t tell my family.

[u/neilbohr01]

i’m just in for the 3rd place match to watch another game 

[u/hieros187]

To some teams it actually means a lot. Sweden took the metal in 1994 and was celebrated as heroes in their home country.

I guess it's mostly about the mentality and willing to win some metal. 4. place is a sour placement in most sports, no metal, no podium, no glory. 

(And less money)

[u/Odd-Block-2998]

For England, yes.

For France, as previous runner-up, it is a humiliation.

[u/jessiedemba]

The game isn’t more then an exhibition game. We will see backups, bad play, disinterested players. Imagine getting hurt in this game. It’s also between teams who has been in finals recently, and they do not care about third places.

[u/villi-eldr]

Ill watch the game but it doesnt have as much weight as a group game, and knock out games. I also think the teams playing for 3rd place won't really try their best either.

[u/Beginning_Smell4043]

Also, the golden boot is almost always from 3rd or 4th place

[u/SacKingsAmiiboHunter]

It’s kind of like a group stage match between two teams who are already through and don’t care too much. Still World Cup soccer, and golden boot at stake, so you bet your ass I’m watching.

[u/Regular_War7387]

Oh no, anyways…

[u/DistantM3M3s]

If it was some like, underdog team that was a surprise to be in the semis, I'd get why they'd care. But do you really think anyone from France or England, except maybe mbappe so he secure the golden boot, gives a shit?

[u/heckfyre]

France vs England is such a classic match up. Can’t wait for the game

[u/Mudassar40]

Been watching since Italia 90. Teams who are ok with not reaching the final care, teams who had higher ambitions don't care.

[u/fatface4711]

Guess it depends. French players wouldn’t care a lot about a bronze medal, but for the young Germans in 2006 it was something. Also for teams like Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands.

[u/slimkid504]

Third place playoff in 2002 was a good game. Third place playoff allows you to score more goals and allow England to finish higher than they have since 66. Surely it’s worth playing for

[u/GooglySoft]

Well I know Mbappe will surely be gunning for that golden boot as a consolation

[u/Mperorpalpatine]

It depends. I am a Swede and the greatest sport achievement most people can remember is the 1994 bronze in USA. However if you are a big footballing nation like France or England I don't think you care honestly

[u/Archergarw]

Depends on the team , I don’t think France , Spain , Brazil etc give a shit but when teams like Croatia or Morocco have made it they do seem to care

[u/Express_Rent4630]

They should really just screw FIFA over and make it 5-5 so Messi doesn't get the golden boot

[u/Gadgie29]

I’m sure Mbappe will want to complete the set of medals.

[u/MM-19]

Actually, we might end up seeing a more open and better game than the final.

[u/MonthCountry]

I’d like England to give it a good crack. 3rd place would be their best finish since winning it, and bow out beating a very good French team.

[u/WonderfulVariation93]

What? It promises to be great soccer and who-knowing you are going into a soccer viewing drought on Mon-doesn’t want to watch great football?

[u/Mister-Psychology]

Listen, these football players have played third league teams for a pointless cup tournament qualification they barely want to win. You think they are not motivated in a World Cup match for medal standings?

The only match they skip is like Norway not fielding the best team vs. France as losing the game actually gave them a much easier run. France should have tried to lose too to be fair.

[u/Ok_Medicine8560]

imo this game shouldn't exist at all, both teams are already eliminated and should just go home

just an excuse for Fifa to make a bit more money

[u/Ok_Consideration6179]

I live in Sweden and they still make a big deal about their third place in 94 and have made documentaries about it lol.

[u/Afrikiwi]

There has never been a goalless 3rd place game.

1962, 1970, and 1974 are the only 3rd place games in world cup history where only 1 goal was scored.

2018 is the only 3rd place game where 2 goals were scored.

There have been 18 other 3rd place matches with 3+ goals.

[u/Hotsaltynutz]

I've been watching the cup since the 80s. You are the first person I've heard about that cares about the 3rd place game

[u/Holland444]

I've been watching the World Cup for a long time and despite my own country being in it, I don't care about it. I don't know a single other person who does either. You may care about it and that's fine, but I've found that not many do.

[u/mangoribbean]

So many topics on here are just people saying "If you have any opinion that isn't the exact same mine it means you're a filthy casual who has never even seen a football before in your life!"

[u/GlobalGuide3029]

It can be an entertaining game precisely because the players don't really care. I suspect that if you gave the players the choice between playing this match and going on holiday, the vast majority would head straight for the beach.

[u/Bigunsy]

This is straight nonsense. Ive watched every world cup and euros since 1994. I had a seaosn ticket for an english premier league club. Im definitely not a causal fan and neither are any of my friends (all England fans) not a single one of us gives the slightest fuck about the 3rd/4th place game.

[u/Bambeakz]

I watched all editions of the WC in the last 40 years and could not name one 3rd place winner if my life depended on it. We don't care and the players would have rather go home/on holiday after losing the semi final.

[u/Brief-Preference-712 → u/Bambeakz]

HTC Sevens made a video about the uselessness of bronze medal match. Almost all comments said the the match was memorable to them. Most comments come from Croatia and Sweden

[u/Special-Audience-426]

Been watching the World Cup since 86. I don't claim to be a football expert but I know nobody has ever given a shit about 3rd place. 

[u/SunBlowsUpToday]

I’m English. I can’t even tell you if we won or lost that game in 2018. Literally no one cares.

[u/Scary_Vehicle9023 → u/SunBlowsUpToday]

We lost - the 1966 team are the only English medalists in the men's World Cup.

[u/chushenNeji]

I mean, the players have had a gruelling year. Forcing another game out of them for 3rd place just seems so unnecessary. Let them recover for the next season.

I also don't care about who wins third place. I guess I'm a casual. Wait... Is calling someone a casual supposed to be an insult? Am I wrong for having a wife, kids and other hobbies and interests? I guess I'm not doing it right.

[u/antosaurus]

Give them both a medal, like in Olympic boxing, and yeet the game. Replace it with a game between 2 fan-voted-for teams. Cabo Verde vs Croatia would get my vote.

[u/FifthMonarchist → u/antosaurus]

As a fan I'd vote for England vs France just to humiliate them

[u/stitchard]

Nobody ever remembers who was 3rd or 4th. We do remember being knocked out in the semis, or quarter finals or group stages.

[u/Code1313]

Smaller nations care ALOT.

[u/wowitshemlock]

Been watching since FR won its first star, even though I was a child, and I think you might be the casual here, comparing 3rd at the WC to 3rd in the Olympics. No one is saying these are 1-0 bores, in fact, historically they’ve been the highest scoring games. This will be fun to watch but meaningless at the end of the day.

“Matter of pride” for what? To see who’s the better loser? When you’re France or England, if you’re not first, you’re last. Cabo Verde did what they had to do and they’re winners in everyone’s eyes. Not the same for France and England. This is basically a friendly with a golden boot on the line.

Should go tell Didi and Tuchel that you think they are casuals for not caring about this match 😂

[u/charlottekeery]

I’m personally sick of the whole “anyone who dares to disagree with me is obviously a casual”.

[u/KlM-J0NG-UN]

Nice try, FIFA

[u/JoseyWa1es]

I guess the England coach is a casual

[u/Neb-Nose]

Yeah, good point! Hey fellow gatekeepers, let’s make sure these newbie poseurs know the password before they dare talk about soccer.

[u/Kimber80]

I mean it *has* to be psychologically gutting to be defeated in the SF and lose the chance at the gold cup, especially in the case of two teams that I think believed they would win and advance. That means the French and English teams would IMO likely rather just fly home.

Nevertheless, anytime a prize is on the line - in this case a Bronze Medal - if I was a player I would put forth effort to win it. Then again, I am not a player, LOL.

[u/Comfortable_Fudge508]

We clap for bronze at the Olympics because theyre standing there with the gold. Nobody cares when its held a day before the big game.

[u/Due-Train-7874]

Yeah!!! It’s SO FUCKING CASUAL that people don’t like the third place game! Wait, what do you mean players consistently talk about how useless and demoralizing the bronze game is? They’re casuals too!!!

[u/Savings-March-3016]

You know what's even worse? The biggest punishment for these teams? Ending up losing the 3rd place match to rock the 4th place. Bahahahaaa.  Yes that's mean. Keep in mind, they make millions more money in a year, than most of us dream about and work for our entire life's. 

[u/Idrinkbeereverywhere]

Only bad things can happen like an injury

[u/DoctorKonks]

The irony is that OP hasn't identified a single third place play off that is a classic. It's why we don't huge them for FA Cup, League Cup or the Champions League. Really, no one cares.

Now imagine you're a fan of a club who loses a player for the start of the season - or worse - because they played a game for third place.

[u/thaprizza]

Nobody cares. Fans of the 2 countries might care a bit just to finish the tournament with a win but that’s it.

[u/Glittering_Shop3418]

Lol you are wrong. This is not olympics, third place means nothing in a knockout tournament.

[u/jaxawaba22]

I’m going to watch England France and I’m going to enjoy the hell out of it and the fans. What a classic good old fashioned rivalry of cultures. But it’s not that serious. It won’t degenerate into a brawl or stupidity. It will just be good clean fun.

I’m going to watch Argentina Spain and be PISSED OFF the whole time. Or pissed off in the last ten minutes or something. LOL. Even if Spain wins I’m still going to feel … like I am not that invested. But I’ve already watched everything else so not watching the final would feel wrong. And I don’t dislike Spain in particular or anything. But. I was not rooting for them. But I’m certainly not rooting for Argentina. And I am someone who generally finds redeeming qualities in the villain or antagonist. But. Too much vitriol and just poor behaviour for me. Too many bad stories. Too many rude people they have enough supporters I cannot count myself among them.

[u/Plus-Benefit4722]

Uh huh, without googling who came 4th in 2002?

[u/MK12594]

Totally disagree, not even the players care like that. A lot of the time it's the bench warmers playing

[u/AutomaticQuarter998]

The only person who ever would have cared was if Ronaldo got into it as he would have seen it as an opportunity to pad stats when no one else cared in the game. He is back, don't ya' know!?

[u/Zetton69]

why risk injuries for useless match...

[u/DenverTechGuru]

No true scotsman would say THAT.

What in the logical fallacy is this ragebait nonsense.

[u/toolatealreadyfapped]

The golden boot will be very much in play still. Don't know if that's a motivator... I'll watch though

[u/arejay00]

There’s no “places” for World Cup. Only the winner with the trophy matters.

[u/AromaticCommercial71]

Maybe they should allow each other to score as many as possible, so as to not to let Messi win golden boot lol

[u/mattrob77]

In 2018 we were very happy to finish 3rd !

Yes we could have been 2nd or 1st but this was amazing too

[u/MeTieDoughtyWalker]

The third place match is fun. It’s like a friendly to give us one extra game right before the big one.

[u/No-Presentation-2320]

I’m excited for the game. I’ll take all the games!! I also would love to see lots of goals and want Kylian to get the golden boot

[u/LadyAtr3ides]

I grew watching the Christmas tournaments of sub 16. We watch the sub 19 eurocup, we watch even the weird summer tournaments fifa makes up to get money if we are at home, we watch friendlies. Heck my family went to the field every weeked while our team was lost in regional categories until he came back to proper ones.

We don’t care about thrid place. However, If we are home, we will watch it s we watch any fútbol cause it is fútbol but that doesn’t mean it matters

[u/coldbrew_10]

For some players in the golden boot race, this might matter. Kane/Bellingham and Mbappe.

[u/Scott72901]

LOL. Take it up with the managers and players.

https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/thomas-tuchel-england-semi-final-world-cup-third-place-play-off-france/blt74d5409807732276

[u/Admirable_Algae7196]

The manager for one of teams literally meant it doesn’t matter

[u/cyberS1]

it’s the walk of shame of the tournament.. someone’s got to do it, I guess.

[u/Ill_Carpet5280]

the third place match just seems weird to play in general...? Like, I'd personally rather just lose in the top 8 and go home rather than get humiliated right before the final and then instead of being able to go home, I'm now asked to play a worthless match where the only thing on the line is pride...as if you haven't already lost that with a defeat in the semis.

[u/Mikrail]

The players and managers are quite open about not caring. It's a meaningless match they don't need to play, after being knocked out in a semi, after an already long and arduous season. It is the definition of a pointless game. The only benefit is being able to give some game time to younger or fringe players, and even then the game is a glorified friendly.

[u/Bushwazi]

Cool cool cool. Another lecture for the casuals.

[u/Dubiisek]

The game is inconsequential and nobody of consequences gives a shit about it.

Hope this helps.

[u/Stillconfused007]

You don’t know what you’re talking about. The English and French players who are gutted about losing have to wait around now for a pointless match when they could be getting a break. Most of their clubs are already back in pre season training, they’re barely getting a holiday and will just arrive later to their teams for the new season.

[u/False-Sandwich-2051]

this is one of those bell curve things. you think you’re somehow above “casuals” because this game is actually very meaningful and important, but you don’t actually know enough about football to realise that it’s the two losers of the semi finals and both teams walk away empty handed anyway, nobody cares who finishes third or fourth, that’s why teams’ performances at tournaments are always framed as “reached the semi finals” or whatever. 

i hate the introduction of “casuals” that’s come out in this world cup, i can only assume it’s the american influence. imagine trying to gatekeep the most popular and easy to follow sport in the world. embarrassing.

[u/Humanity_is_broken]

To the English and French fans, even if your team get the 4th place this time, imagine how much happier you still are compared to Brazilians in 2014

[u/CrazyIndependence291]

Anything other than 1st doesn’t matter

[u/HetTheTable]

No one cares except teams that haven’t gotten that far.

[u/I_am_on_your_side]

'Nobody wants to play' - Thomas Tuchel defends England's semi-final 'achievement' as coach slams World Cup third-place play-off against France.

• Tuchel the casual

[u/Beargoomy15 → u/I_am_on_your_side]

Take a look at what he actually said and not just a selected snippet…

[u/Nyoteng]

I think you just told on yourself as the biggest casual mate lol

[u/colordelaverdad]

It may not matter in the moment with the sting of defeat still fresh and all the what-ifs.

But down the line it’ll be pretty cool to say you led England to its 2nd best World Cup finish ever.

[u/valleycroissant]

Nah that’s bullshit, I live in England and literally nobody gives a fuck whether we come 3rd or 4th. I doubt I’ll even watch the game.

[u/instantcoffeeshake]

Brotha I have been watching football for about 20 years and all world cups since 2002, I can't name a single third place. There isn't a third place in the Champions league. Coming in second or third place in a league doesn't matter either. That's the beauty of football, history only remembers the winners. That's why it matters so much.

Instead of third place I wish they gave recognition to the underdogs, the country that wasn't supposed to perform but put giants to the test. Call it the Cape Verde Award. I would love to see those guys being praised at the awards ceremony.

[u/MammothTrifle3616]

I remember when Croatia took the bronze in '98, just 3 years after the war of independence. The crowd in the streets were WILD, there was so much gunfire (shooting in the air) that it sounded like the war was back on! Nobody slept that night :)

It meant A LOT to a small newly independent Croatia. I think it was my first time getting drunk

[u/Ms_Meercat → u/MammothTrifle3616]

It meant a lot in 2006 to Germany as well on home soil, after we had made it much further than anyone pre tournament had hoped and had staged a fantastic World Cup. When the players came to Berlin that next day, millions came out to celebrate them

[u/Some-Pop2436 → u/Ms_Meercat]

I wanted to say this. It was a big deal in 2006 for Germany.

I actually enjoy the third place match.

[u/davyp82]

You wrote all that about the 3rd place match?

[u/generic-username41]

Be quiet idiot.

Here's a list of ex players who have boasted about the pride they feel after making sure they finish 3rd instead of 4th in previous tournaments.

This list is now complete.

[u/Current-Bowl-143]

You wrote a lot of words, but it doesn’t mean you’re right. Nobody cares about the third place playoff, whether they’re “casual” or serious fans. Get over yourself.

[u/Longjumping-Pay-8819]

Does anyone really care?

[u/mmmoctopie]

This game is meaningless. It exists to pull in suckers like you for your money. The coaches have said it. The players have said it. It's the most pointless game as the outcome has no bearing on anything.

[u/ReasonableRiver6750]

Both teams literally said they don’t care

[u/Hearthian-Wanderer]

Please.

If anything it is those who don't follow football that are more likely to think that the third place game means anything (it doesn't). The players are done, they have no interest, they lost already and just want to go home. The winner has no sense of victory because neither team has their heart in it. They should just get rid of it tbh.

"None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match"
Thomas Tuchel - England Manager

Wayne Rooney briefly discussed what is the "worst game in football" from 36:00 in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwQso7oYNnw

[u/Timely_Note_1904]

There is no stigma at all about 4th place. This isn't like the Olympics where the top 3 all get on the podium. The managers themselves say they don't care, so why would we trust you over them? The players will go out there anyway and try hard because they are professionals, but they would rather not be there.

[u/shiawase-89]

You’re either first or you’re last.

[u/gangaramate13]

Tuchel I think said neither England nor France would want to play this match? Not so terrible a "take".

[u/Pat_Sharp]

It's hard to care if the teams themselves don't and would rather be on a plane home.

[u/NUFC9RW]

Clubs have already started pre season training, nobody wants to get injured right before the season starts, and it also delays when the players get back to their club as they take a break after the world cup. It's worth it for the chance to win it, but for the difference between 3rd and 4th, it really isn't.

[u/Technical_Safety1662]

Man you're getting flack for this but 100% dark horses do care. You think Croatia didn't care? Of course they did. Entitled big nations don't care, maybe.

[u/mwarfo → u/Technical_Safety1662]

This. Therefore the small nation of England, which hardly ever reaches that level, should caté.

[u/Dangerous-Reveal-736]

The French players on the pitch will care about beating England. The English players on the pitch will care about beating France. If my team was in the game, I would care about them. Yes, it’s of no real consequence. But so was Turkey’s match against US, for example. Did Turkish players look like they didn’t care to you?

[u/skymallow → u/Dangerous-Reveal-736]

The lovely thing about football is that every team on every match has someone that cares if they win.

[u/Popular-Spinach-6700]

It’s actually a “casual” take to think that it matters, especially for France and England who have both won the World Cup before. Neither team will be wanting to play this match

[u/arsehenry14]

Nobody remembers who placed third. Also, most of the players that started for both teams on the group and knockouts are wrecked physically after already playing lengthy club seasons. That’s why it’s not important. There’s no benefit to playing and winning it. It’s not like the Olympics.

[u/WilkosJumper_]

I have been watching football my entire life and I’m approaching my 5th decade of life.

Absolutely no one in the two countries competing cares and it is meaningless. I would argue thinking it’s important is the ‘casual’ take.

It might mean more to a country who did not expect more and that’s fair enough. But for France and England it’s just a losers exhibition.

The idea that you think one of these teams winning ‘the bronze’ (who on Earth has ever cared about that in football?) will mean anything to them is laughable. You don’t understand the sporting culture of these countries.

[u/Carlin47 → u/WilkosJumper_]

Agreed. If my country (Canada) won 3rd place, I'd be ecstatic. But we don't have a rich football history, really, just the last 10 years have been even watchable. It absolutely depends on the history of the country and past results

[u/Beargoomy15 → u/WilkosJumper_]

It would be your countries best performance since the 60s but ok. I guess you don’t care because you think your country is better at this sport than they actually are…

[u/Broad-Lobster7470]

It’s unfortunately at 1 am for me. But otherwise I’d definitely watch.

[u/OppositeBatCage]

I do. I hope Mbappe can at least snatched a golden boot. 

[u/Freecz]

I think it matters for the smaller nations. It is just that for the larger more successful nations It is meaningless and if only the big nations make it that far it feels pointless.

I like that they have it though because it gives more games and it also gives smaller nations a shot for something big even if they don't quite reach the gold. Like I would bet a lot that Norway would have been extatic to be able to battle for a bronze medal tbh.

[u/Cho_v_Cho]

I think people would care more if there were underdog countries pkaying for it. But I honestly can't bring myself to give a shit about France and England playing for a bronze medal

[u/RoseCitySaltMine]

The french hate the english and vice versa. I dont care if its for 3rd place. Its a match i want to see

[u/TheSwedishEagle]

If you ain't first, you're last.

[u/Tuscan5]

I’ve seen plenty. Exhibition match for first half followed by, if it’s close, a couple of goals.

No one wants to get injured.

[u/alienalf1]

I’ve watched every World Cup since Mexico 86 and could only tell you a handful of third places. To me it’s a perfectly valid opinion that people don’t enjoy or see the point in the playoff game. Comparing it to the olympics is silly, it’s an entirely different culture and tradition. Just because someone disagrees doesn’t make them a fair weather fan either, they just disagree with you. And that’s ok.

[u/Absoled]

I don’t know about that, but I personally am excited to see a match between the players of France and England. I’m hoping the England players can at least show that they have learnt their lesson.

It’s also pretty cool to see these two historic countries go at it!

[u/Lucifer1398]

Well to be blatantly honest apart from those two team playing the rest of the world doesn't care who ends up 3rd. However I am gonna watch it to see if England can cause a final upset.

[u/Jskidmore1217]

There should be a medal ceremony and the whole problem is fixed

[u/Tumerican]

There is only one cup to drink from.

[u/BarNo3385]

Also, we are placed 4th, we should see winning the bronze match and coming 3rd as overachieving vs our ranking. Its a credible target and one we should aim for, plus its beating France, that absolutely matters.

Going out to the world champs, and beating France in the play-offs, is a worthy end to a deep run.