World Cup third-place play-off: France face England tonight in Miami

Today's essentials

World Cup third-place play-off: France face England tonight in Miami. Both beaten in the semi-finals, France and the Three Lions battle for third place this Saturday 18 July at 11pm (Madrid time), at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, according to beIN Sports.

Eliminated on Tuesday by Spain (2-0), who go on to the final, France play here their fourth third-place play-off in history, after 1958, 1982 and 1986, according to beIN Sports. On the other side, England fell to Argentina, decisive thanks to two assists from Lionel Messi: the two semi-final winners, Spain and Argentina, will meet in the final this Sunday 19 July.

This match also marks Didier Deschamps' last outing on the France bench: the manager, in charge for fourteen years, hopes to finish on a high note before a possible departure, according to beIN Sports.

Today's weather

Overcast skies and up to 32 degrees in Valencia this Saturday. In Valencia city, expect between 25 and 32 degrees today, Saturday 18 July, under overcast skies, with a near-zero chance of rain (3%) and wind up to 14 km/h, according to Open-Meteo.

In the city, the morning already starts at 25 degrees and the heat climbs to 32: a heavy day under overcast skies that don't really cool the air. Keep water on you and save outdoor efforts for early morning or the end of the day.

Inland in the province, around Cofrentes, the gap is wider, from 21 degrees at dawn to 35 in the afternoon, with overcast skies and a 25% chance of rain. On the southern coast, in Cullera, the thermometer stays between 25 and 31 degrees, in the fog and with no rain forecast, with wind up to 15 km/h.

Transport and traffic

• Valencia's metro dons red and yellow for the World Cup final. Metrovalencia and Alicante TRAM stations, like the Palau de la Generalitat, are lit up in the colours of the Spanish flag (red and yellow) to support Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, according to Valencia Extra. In practice, this is a temporary lighting of the stations and the Palau, a symbolic gesture led by the Generalitat to back the national team. So if you take the metro this weekend, expect a special atmosphere on the network, against a backdrop of crowds linked to the final.
• Renfe will accept dogs up to 40 kg on all its trains from 21 July. From 21 July 2026, Renfe will allow dogs weighing up to 40 kilos on all its trains, according to information shared on Reddit r/valencia. Train travel thus opens up to sizes previously excluded: a useful change for owners of large dogs based in Valencia, who otherwise had to make do with the car. The exact conditions (booking, muzzle, space on board) still need to be checked with Renfe before setting off.

What changes for you

• Batalla de Flores: sign up for the stand draw before Monday 20 July at 11.59pm. You have until Monday 20 July at 11.59pm to enter the draw for the palcos (the stands) of the Batalla de Flores, open since 17 July, according to Valencia Secreta. To try your luck, submit your entry within this window: after Monday evening, the draw is closed. A fee is attached to booking a palco, to be checked at the time of entry. As the Batalla de Flores is one of the highlights of the July Fair, it's best not to drag your feet if you want a seat.
• Castellón brings the consulate closer to its 15,000 Romanian residents. Castellón is opening a new information point to bring consular services closer to its Romanian community, estimated at 15,000 people, according to a post on Reddit r/valencia. If you're part of this community, or you know Romanians in the region, this information point aims to make paperwork easier without having to travel far. The idea is to offer a local relay rather than forcing everyone to chase after a distant consulate.

Local news to know

• Aemet forecasts four days of possible storms and a new heatwave. Aemet forecasts four days of possible, locally strong storms over the Valencian Community, with strong gusts and hail, coupled with the arrival of a new heatwave, according to Las Provincias.
• A mascletà-style police operation for the World Cup final at Plaza del Ayuntamiento. A police operation comparable to that of a Fallas mascletà is planned at Plaza del Ayuntamiento for the World Cup final, while Valencia's major buildings and fountains sport the colours of the Spanish team this weekend, according to Las Provincias.
• The PSPV accuses the Consell of scorning the 10,000 local police officers. The PSPV accuses the Consell of scorning the Valencian Community's 10,000 local police officers with a reform carried out without social dialogue, which it describes as a fraud against the law, according to elDiario.es.

Tonight and tomorrow in Valencia

• A third heatwave next week, up to 45 degrees. A third heatwave is forecast next week, with up to three days of highs that could reach 45 degrees from Tuesday, according to Levante-EMV. Plan ahead now: hydration, outings during the cooler hours and care for the most vulnerable during the forecast peak.
• Requena wines at L'Umbracle on Thursday 23 July. More than 40 wineries and producers will bring together Requena wines at L'Umbracle on Thursday 23 July 2026 for a major gastronomic celebration, according to Valencia Bonita. Head to L'Umbracle at the City of Arts and Sciences for 'La gran fiesta del verano', centred on Requena wine and local produce. Note the date, Thursday 23 July, if you want to taste the selection.
• Five nights of free music with the Al Ras Festival in Xàtiva. Xàtiva will offer five nights of celebration and free music with the Al Ras Festival during its August Fair, according to Valencia Bonita. Five evenings of free concerts and shows during the Feria de Agosto: enough to plan a trip inland if you like open-air music.

See the full agenda, tonight and tomorrow