England vs France: Kane vs Mbappé, the 2026 World Cup “Qatar Revenge”?

✍ World CupFIFA 🗓 Jun 19, 2026 ⏱ ≈4 min read

10/10/2023. London, United Kingdom. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visits England's football training centre St George's Park where he announced EURO 28 would be coming to the UK and Ireland and met the England manager Gareth Southgate along with the England mens squad. Picture by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

An England vs France rematch at the 2026 World Cup would be among the most talked-about ties — a replay of the 2022 Qatar quarter-final that France won 2–1, when Kane missed a potential equalising penalty. The word “revenge” loads this potential meeting with intrigue.

World Cup grudge: the Qatar night

In the 2022 Qatar quarter-final, France knocked England out 2–1; Kane’s second penalty cleared the bar, the moment that decided the tie. In 2026, England are itching to put it right.

Key match-ups

Kane vs Maignan — this time, can Kane find the net?
Mbappé vs Trippier/Walker — England’s heaviest defensive test
Bellingham vs Tchouaméni — the midfield battle
Saka vs Théo Hernández — flank attack-and-defence swap

Editors’ projection

France remain favourites, but this England is the strongest squad in a generation. If Bellingham, Kane and Saka all click, England can win. The editors lean toward: 2–2 into a shootout, England getting revenge — an “It’s Coming Home” script. Subjective, for reference only.

FAQ

Did England beat France at the 2022 World Cup?

No — France won the 2022 Qatar quarter-final 2–1, with Kane’s penalty miss the turning point. That is England’s biggest motivation to set the record straight in 2026.

Disclaimer: this is football content analysis for entertainment only, not betting advice; please stay rational and within your means.