Who will whistle for England–France? Jesús Valenzuela leads consolation final of

Who whistles England–France? Jesús Valenzuela leads the consolation final of

According to Foxsports.

Background

Jesús Valenzuela, the referee of the consolation final, has built a solid reputation for his controlled style of whistling, which can be crucial for the match impact. His experience with both England and France in previous tournaments could be an important factor in how the players prepare for this important match.

Why this matters

The consolation final between England and France is not only a chance for both teams to end their 2026 World Cup experience with a win, but also a chance to strengthen their season outlook. For England it is an opportunity to show that they are taking the right steps towards future success, while France, after a disappointing semi-final, can confirm its status as a top club.

Key points

• Who whistles for England–France? Jesús Valenzuela leads consolation final of.
• Jesús Valenzuela (42) whistles for England-France for third place at the 2026 World Cup.
• Who Are The Referees For England vs. France? | FOX Sports.

England and France missed out on a place in the World Cup final in the semi-finals and will now meet in the consolation final. While France lost 2-0 to Spain, England lost 2-1 to title holder Argentina. The match for third place will have an experienced referee: the Venezuelan Jesús Valenzuela has been appointed as referee by the tournament organization. His compatriots Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno assist along the line.

Valenzuela, 42 years old, has built up a solid international resume in recent years with appointments at world championships and in the Copa América. This is his second participation in a World Cup final round; in 2022 he refereed two games. In 2026, the consolation final will be his fourth appearance of the tournament. At this World Cup, he was already in charge of Australia–Turkey (2-0), Bosnia and Herzegovina–Qatar (3-1) and Norway's comeback victory over Ivory Coast (2-1) in the round of 32. Remarkable: in his three previous matches he handed out only four yellow cards and did not show any red. This underlines his controlled style, where he lets the game run as much as possible without losing control.

Both Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé have known Valenzuela for some time. During the previous World Cup, he refereed England–United States (0-0) in the group stage, and led France–Poland (3-1) in the round of 16. He is therefore not an unknown factor in a tournament environment for both attack leaders.

France's run to the semi-finals was convincing until Spain. Les Bleus collected nine points in the group stage, scoring 16 times and conceding only four goals. In the knockout phase, victories followed over Sweden (3-0) in the round of 32, Paraguay (1-0) in the round of 16 and Morocco (2-0) in the quarter-final. Against Spain, France fell behind for the first time this World Cup, after a penalty in the 22nd minute, and could not recover from that blow.

England started strongly with a 4-2 win over Croatia, but then droppedpoints against Ghana (1-1). After a decisive win over Panama, the side qualified for the knockout stages, eliminating DR Congo after a late turnaround in which captain Kane scored twice after the 75th minute. England was also efficient against Mexico: Jude Bellingham scored two goals, despite forty minutes with one man less. In the quarter-final against Norway, Bellingham found the net twice again, but in the semi-final against Argentina, Lionel Messi made the difference: 2-1.

The consolation final is about honor, rhythm and ranking - and often also about open football. With Valenzuela as referee, assisted by Urrego and Moreno, there is an experienced and usually calm referee on the field. Whether England ends the tournament with a podium finish for the first time since 1966, or whether France convinces one more time despite the disappointment of the semi-final, will partly depend on discipline and details. Valenzuela's tight, but not overzealous line can give this match for third place the necessary speed and clarity.

What's happening now

After the consolation final, the focus for both teams will shift to the future and the qualifications for the 2026 World Cup. England and France will want to retain and further develop their star players, such as Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, in order to come back stronger. The performance in this match can also influence the selection for future tournaments and the development of young talents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score of England against France in the consolation final?

The result of the consolation final between England and France is not yet known, as the match has yet to take place.

How will the England-France match affect the 2026 World Cup standings?

The impact of the match on the 2026 World Cup standings will depend on the result, as it will determine the final position of both teams in the tournament.

When is England's next match after the consolation final against France?

England's next match after the consolation final against France has not yet been announced.

Who is the referee of the consolation final between England and France?

The referee of the consolation final is Jesús Valenzuela from Venezuela.

How many goals did France score in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup?

France has scored 16 goals in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.

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