England vs France: World Cup quarter final team news and prediction

England and France will face off on Saturday in the final 2022 World Cup quarter-final. In recent years, France have generally had the upper hand in this match-up winning three of the last five, including the last meeting in 2017 which they won 3-2, but in the World Cup, both meetings have been won by England in 1966 and 1982. England beat Senegal to reach the quarter-finals, while France knocked out Poland.

Ahead of this one, we provide the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch the World Cup quarter-final, team news and probable XIs... 

When is kick off? 

Saturday 10th December, 19:00 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor (Qatar) 

What TV channel is it on? 

ITV, ITVX app and ITV website 

Route to the quarter final 

England topped Group B, only dropping points in a 0-0 draw with USA, sandwiched by wins over Iran and Wales. They then faced off against Senegal in the round of 16, winning 3-0, which means they are the joint highest scorers coming into the quarter-finals. They have only won a World Cup quarter-final on one occasion, in 1966, the same year they won their only World Cup trophy.

After making a convincing start to their group, beating Australia 4-1 and Denmark 2-1, France were beaten by Tunisia 1-0 on the final day, but still managed to top Group D on goal difference. This set up a last-16 tie with Poland, which they won 3-1. They will be hoping to become only the third nation to defend a World Cup title, after winning their second in 2018. This will be their ninth World Cup quarter-final, and they have won six of their previous eight. 

Team news 

Ben White left the England camp for personal reasons, while Raheem Sterling is likely to return to Qatar ahead of Saturday’s game after returning to England following a break-in at his home, but is unlikely to start here. John Stones and Callum Wilson will both need to be assessed ahead of the game owing to injury, but it is probable that Stones should be fine to start.

France however shouldn’t have any injury concerns coming into this game, so it’s unlikely that manager Didier Deschamps will make any changes to his starting lineup. 

Probable XIs

England (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Henderson, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden

France (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Griezmann, Mbappe; Giroud 

Key battle: Harry Kane vs Olivier Giroud 

This was once a fierce battle of supremacy for North London bragging rights, but now Tottenham captain Harry Kane and former Gunner Olivier Giroud will be going head-to-head for a place in the World Cup semi-finals. Kane was the Golden Boot winner in 2018’s World Cup, but has been more the creator in Qatar, while Giroud, who failed to score in France’s route to glory four years ago, became the all-time goalscorer for this country in Qatar.

With three assists, the joint-most coming into the quarter-finals, and five key passes, it is clear to see how much Kane's game has changed and it’s possible this might be seen Saturday in his position on the pitch, which will likely be deeper than his counterpart. Giroud has been the focal point for France in the centre of their attack, scoring three goals, which only his teammate Kylian Mbappe (5) can better, while he betters Kane on shots (9) and aerial duels won (5), underling the different roles the pair are playing. The duo have come up against one another a number of times in the Premier League in the past, but now they will do it on the biggest stage, with both likely to play one of the biggest roles for their respective sides. 

Score prediction: England 1-1 France