England’s 6-4 victory over France in the 2026 World Cup third-place game has sparked suggestions for the NFL to reinstate a similar game, which was last held before the AFL-NFL merger. However, such a game would likely be meaningless, akin to the Pro Bowl, as players have little incentive to participate without significant financial rewards, especially those nearing free agency. The NFL’s former Playoff Bowl was created to showcase players during the AFL’s rise but vanished after the merger, and its revival seems unlikely due to a lack of interest and potential player opposition. Any new format would likely devolve into a non-competitive event similar to the defunct Pro Bowl.
