England football icon, Alan Shearer, has slammed FIFA for their decision to organize a third-place playoff in the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to feature France and England on Saturday.
The third-place playoff, now referred to as the bronze match, will be played merely three days following the conclusion of the semi-finals.
Recently, numerous fans and analysts have called for the elimination of this match due to worries regarding the players’ fitness levels.
In a recent episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer claimed that the forthcoming match between France and England is motivated by FIFA’s desire to generate additional revenue.
He stated via Metro, “Nonsense, rubbish, pathetic. FIFA are going on about player welfare, hydration breaks and all that. Do you think player welfare is taken into account when both teams have lost and within three or four days, they’re being asked to play a meaningless third and fourth-place play-off? Not only that, in Miami, in the heat. So talk to me about player welfare, where is it there?”
The former Newcastle United star, who scored 30 goals in 63 appearances for England from 1992 to 2000, further commented on the bronze match:
“What is the purpose of this match? It exists solely for one reason: to generate more revenue. It is, therefore, pathetic. You have heard the managers’ opinions, and I am quite certain that if you were to ask any of the players, they would prefer to be at home now, recovering from their disappointment and preparing for a holiday.”
In addition to determining the third-best team in the tournament, the bronze match may also influence the race for the Golden Boot award. France’s striker Kylian Mbappe is currently tied with Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi, each having scored eight goals, while England’s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have netted six goals each.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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