Kylian Mbappe, the 27-year-old captain of the French national football team, enters the 2026 World Cup amid a mix of high expectations and recent challenges. As France prepares to play its opening match against Senegal, attention focuses on Mbappe’s ability to lead Les Bleus to their third consecutive World Cup final and potentially break several scoring records.

Mbappe has been instrumental in France’s success at the last two World Cups, and this tournament represents another opportunity for him to cement his legacy. He is currently two goals shy of becoming France’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Olivier Giroud’s 57 international goals, and if he scores five this summer, he would break Germany’s Miroslav Klose’s record as the World Cup’s highest scorer. Additionally, two goals would see him eclipse Just Fontaine’s record for most goals by a French player at the tournament, and scoring in the final could make him the first player to net five goals in a single decisive match.

However, Mbappe’s recent form and off-field conduct have drawn scrutiny. Despite a prolific club season with Real Madrid, where he scored 42 goals, the latter part was marked by criticism as the team failed to secure any trophies. Internationally, he has not scored in his last three matches. Tensions within the French squad have also surfaced, including reports of a confrontation with teammate Ousmane Dembele over defensive efforts and a frosty relationship with N’Golo Kante, reportedly stemming from a dispute over the captain’s armband earlier this year. Mbappe also raised questions about his commitment when he left the national camp shortly after a friendly win over Northern Ireland, although he had permission to do so.

French coach Didier Deschamps has expressed confidence in Mbappe’s readiness, stating that the striker is “saving it for the USA,” referring to the group stage match following the opener. Deschamps, managing his final tournament after a successful tenure, has access to a wealth of attacking talent alongside Mbappe. Besides current Ballon d’Or winner Dembele, the squad includes Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, and several other promising forwards. This depth gives Deschamps flexibility in his lineup, though Mbappe is expected to start the campaign as a central figure.

Ahead of the Senegal match, Deschamps highlighted the strength of the African side, praising their quality and cautioning that no past results would guarantee success. The French team is mindful of their 2002 World Cup upset by Senegal in the group stage, though Deschamps downplayed notions of revenge, emphasizing respect for the opponent’s capabilities.

As the tournament begins, the spotlight remains firmly on Mbappe to deliver on the field and help France navigate a challenging group and beyond. His ambition to achieve historic milestones offers a compelling subplot to a team filled with talent and experience.