Shearer: Third-Place Match is Pointless and Should Be Abolished, England Seriously Lagging Behind Other Nations

Legendary English striker Alan Shearer has branded the World Cup third-place playoff as "pointless" ahead of tonight's clash between the Three Lions and France.

England's semi-final loss to Argentina on Wednesday dashed their hopes of reaching the World Cup final in New Jersey against Spain. Instead, the Three Lions will travel to Miami to face France, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to Spain on Tuesday. This means both losing semi-finalists will conclude their campaigns in a disappointing fashion.

Shearer has long been a critic of this fixture, which was first introduced in 1934 and has been played at every men's World Cup since 1954. The former Newcastle and England striker called it "absolute nonsense" when England faced Belgium in the third-place match in 2018. He has once again voiced the opinion of many fans who struggle to find enthusiasm for the game after the disappointment of being knocked out in the semi-finals earlier in the week.

While an England victory over France would mark their best World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966, Shearer believes it's not a priority. Speaking to Betfair, he stated: "The World Cup third-place match is ridiculous. FIFA talks so much about player welfare, and now, after they've been eliminated from the tournament and can't win it, they're made to travel to Miami and play in 37-38 degree heat for third place."

"It's an absolute nonsense. The players should already be on their way home, if not already home and resting, instead of hanging around for another three or four days to play in a meaningless match that only exists to make more money. People say it's a chance to finish third in the world. No, let me tell you, all the players want now is to go on holiday and get away from the tournament," the former Newcastle striker added.

"They're out, and they won't look back in 20 years and say they were proud of finishing third or fourth. It's pointless for both France and England. We all know what this match is for, unfortunately, and it should be abolished," Shearer concluded.

There are financial incentives for finishing third instead of fourth. The team winning the bronze medals will pocket £21.4 million ($29 million), while the losing side will receive £19.9 million ($27 million), as reported by the Daily Mail. In comparison, this year's World Cup winner will be awarded £36.9 million ($50 million), with the runner-up receiving £24.4 million ($33 million).

Meanwhile, Shearer expressed pessimism following England's latest semi-final exit, claiming that if the Three Lions don't win Euro 2028, "then maybe they'll never win it in my lifetime." The 55-year-old former player said: "I feel like we're currently lagging behind other nations. We're behind the two finalists, Argentina and Spain, and also France. In the European Championship, at some point, we'll have to beat France or Spain. It looks like Zidane will become France's coach, so it will be really interesting to see what happens there."

Shearer further added: "Spain is brilliant. They have some really talented young players and fresh additions to their squad, so they'll probably be the team to beat again. So it's not easy, you know, just like it's not easy to win the Champions League. There are teams that will just always be there, and Spain and France are among them. If we don't win it in 2028, then maybe we'll never win it in my lifetime, unfortunately, because we're hosting."