Kylian Mbappé arrives at the 2026 World Cup with history within reach, but questions to answer

Kylian Mbappé will make his first appearance of his third World Cup on June 16. In his previous two tournaments, he won one title and came within inches of producing one of the greatest feats in soccer history, scoring a hat trick against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final.

Criticism in France

His leadership remains unquestioned by France manager Didier Deschamps. However, the Real Madrid star has faced criticism in France following his last two appearances, both friendlies against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland. Much of the scrutiny has centered on his performances as a center forward, a role he has never fully embraced because his skill set is better suited to operating with greater freedom rather than serving as a traditional focal point in attack.

Mbappé traveled to Madrid on Monday after Deschamps gave his players a day off. He returned to France on Wednesday morning, landing at Le Bourget Airport before departing with his teammates for Boston, where Les Bleus will be based during the coming weeks.

France enters the tournament as one of the favorites to win the World Cup, the ultimate objective for a team that has had its sights set on lifting the trophy since the start of the season.

Mbappé chasing Giroud’s record

One possible explanation for Mbappé’s recent dip in form is Olivier Giroud’s all-time scoring record for the French national team.

The Real Madrid forward is just one goal away from matching Giroud atop France’s scoring charts. It is a milestone that clearly matters to Mbappé. Against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland, he repeatedly looked for the breakthrough, testing opposing goalkeepers from all areas of the field. The goal never came.

When he finally found the net in the second friendly, the strike was ruled out for offside.

His ambitions at this World Cup extend beyond Giroud’s record. Mbappé is also chasing a place among the greatest scorers in tournament history.

Currently sitting on 12 World Cup goals across two editions, he needs to move past Lionel Messi’s total of 13 and add at least several more goals to continue climbing the all-time list. Those numbers are undoubtedly on his mind, even if he has consistently shown throughout his career that pressure rarely affects his performances on the biggest stages.

“Mbappé brings a completely different style of leadership,” Deschamps said. “He knows how to listen, observe and always puts the team’s interests ahead of his own.”

The France coach also brushed aside concerns about his captain’s role in attack.

“He’s been playing as a No. 9 for the last three seasons. He knows perfectly well where he plays,” Deschamps said.

A crucial tournament for France’s captain

Mbappé has scored only once in his last six matches, four with Real Madrid and two with France. His most recent goal came on May 23 against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu.

A knee injury suffered midway through the season played a role in slowing his momentum and preventing him from consistently reaching his best level. Even so, there is no doubt within the French Football Federation about what he can deliver this summer.

He remains untouchable in Deschamps’ eyes and continues to wear the captain’s armband, a reflection of his importance to a team that reached the last World Cup final and believes it can go one step further this time.

France’s hopes rest on Mbappé

Mbappé arrives in the United States as one of the faces of the tournament.

When France opens its World Cup campaign against Senegal on June 16, all eyes will be on its captain. A strong performance would quickly silence many of the questions that have followed him into the competition.

He will also need to strengthen his partnership with Ousmane Dembélé, a combination that has yet to consistently produce the results France expected. Supported by talents such as Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Theo Hernández, Les Bleus have every reason to believe a third World Cup title is within reach.

For that dream to become reality, however, Mbappé may need to focus less on individual milestones and more on leading the collective effort that France hopes will carry it to another championship.

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