France arrived at the tournament hoping to reach a third successive World Cup final after lifting the trophy in 2018 and finishing runners-up four years later. However, their hopes were ended by European champions Spain, who beat them in the semi-finals.
The defeat also marked France's third consecutive loss to Spain in the last four of a major tournament, following Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League.
Saturday's match in Miami will also be the final game of Deschamps' long spell in charge of France after the 57-year-old confirmed before the tournament that he would step down when his contract expired.
England also head into the playoff after suffering a painful semi-final defeat, losing 2-1 to Argentina despite leading before Lionel Messi inspired a late comeback.
Deschamps admitted the third-place playoff is not the game either team wanted to play, but insisted representing France still carries a responsibility.
"I have a duty for this game," Deschamps said. "It is not a friendly. It is a third-place playoff. The players, the staff and I have the duty to reach this last objective."
He added: "It is less important than the final. England does not want to play this game, and neither do we. But here we are."
"We have to focus on finishing third and make that final objective a reality. We have this duty when wearing this jersey."
The France coach also reflected on the emotional occasion as he prepares to leave the national team after more than a decade in charge.
"In my head I know that it is my last match," he said. "I don't want anybody to cry. The end is near but life goes on."
Deschamps confirmed he will make changes to his starting line-up after the physically demanding semi-final, with several players unavailable through injury. He also refused to reveal whether captain Kylian Mbappe, who shares the tournament's scoring lead with Argentina's Messi on eight goals, will start.
"He is available, that's what I will say," Deschamps said.
France defender Ibrahima Konate admitted the squad were still hurting after their defeat to Spain but said the players are determined to give their departing coach a winning send-off.
"None of us wanted to play for this third place, but we have no choice," Konate said.
"We want to pay back our coach. He has done so much for the France team. We must be grateful to him for that and we need to do everything we can to win this game and bring home this chocolate medal, this bronze medal."
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has said he was overwhelmed with emotion after learning he had been chosen to officiate Sunday's 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium.
Anthony Gordon admitted England's heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina will stay with him for some time, saying he believed the Three Lions were finally destined to end their decades-long wait for glory.
Youri Tielemans believes the time was right to join Manchester United, saying the club's ambition and desire to compete for major honours convinced him to make the move.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that his club have made a big official offer for Atletico Madrid and Argentina forward Julian Alvarez this summer.
