France’s all-time top scorer is set to reach his 100th cap against Iraq, with Kylian Mbappé also closing in on some of the biggest goals scored in World Cup history.France enter their second Group I match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup knowing that a win over Iraq will see them through to the Round of 32. For Kylian Mbappé, however, this event holds an important role as he prepares to achieve one of the most important milestones in his international career.The France captain is set to make his 100th appearance for Les Bleus when Didier Deschamps’ side take on Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The feat comes less than a week after Mbappé became France’s all-time leading goalscorer, adding another fine achievement to his international career.Although the starting line-up is not released until about an hour before kick-off, there are currently no concerns about the Real Madrid players and the French players and players have openly discussed the incident throughout the build-up to the game. Mbappé also spoke at the event during the French press, leaving no doubt that he should appear.“It’s always nice to have the opportunity to play for the national team. There’s nothing bigger than the national team. 100 is something important and it will be special for me, but the importance of the game will start. We have to win to qualify.”The big event arrives with France well placed in Group I after they opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, a game in which Mbappé scored twice. However, Les Bleus are level on three points with Norway, who started their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Iraq and currently have a huge three-goal gap.
France wants to build a strong base against Iraq
France kicked off their World Cup campaign with a stunning 3-1 win over Senegal in New Jersey, overcoming a tough test to give their qualification hopes a boost.Mbappé’s strike proved decisive and moved him above Olivier Giroud as the leading goalscorer in the history of French youth football. These two goals took him to 58 goals for France, surpassing Giroud’s previous record of 57 and setting a benchmark for future generations.The result also put France in a strong position to face an Iraqi side who were beaten 4-1 by Norway in their opening match.Didier Deschamps has repeatedly emphasized that qualification remains the immediate goal.“The main goal is to defend the victory and qualification,” said the French coach. “We will decide to finish before our third game; one thing at a time.”Mr. Mbappé also said the same thing when discussing the crisis caused by Iraq.“There is a long way to go, we have only won one game. Tomorrow will be difficult, but we are on the right track. Let’s not look too far ahead, we have to take each game as it comes.”A win would guarantee France a place in the playoffs with one team still to play.
The importance of 100 features in France
Mbappé will participate as expected, he will be the 10th French player to reach 100 international matches.His success is all the more remarkable for his age. Aged just 27, Mbappé made his debut for France in 2017 at the age of 18 and has played 99 games with 58 goals in less than a decade at international level.Reaching 100 caps would put him among the most important figures in French football history, and the 27-year-old is expected to add to that.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring his third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
The event could also be another step towards the big screen document.Didier Deschamps, who is now the coach of France, played 103 games in his career. If France can enjoy the tournament, Mbappé could surpass that number before the tournament is over.Looking ahead, Goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris is still France’s all-time leader with 145 caps, a mark that will become more visible if Mbappé stays healthy and continues what he is doing.
The history of the World Cup is quickly emerging
Although the show will dominate the headlines ahead of the event, Mbappé will also enter the game far from the history of the World Cup.His two goals against Senegal took his tally to 14 goals at the World Cup.This puts him on a par with German legend Gerd Müller and leaves him just a few goals behind the competition’s greatest ever scorer.The all-time World Cup leaderboard is packed near the top:
- Lionel Messi – 16 goals
- Miroslav Klose – 16 goals
- Ronaldo Nazário – 15 goals
- Kylian Mbappé – 14 goals
The math is straightforward.One goal against Iraq would have taken Mbappé to 15 goals and surpassed Ronaldo Nazário.Playing football would take him to 16 goals and join Messi and Klose as the all-time World Cup goalscorers.A hat-trick would take him to 17 goals and give him the record as the top scorer in FIFA World Cup history.Given that Mbappé is still only 27 years old and could have a few World Cup games left in this tournament alone, the prospect of him claiming the record seems realistic.
The competition history is already his
Regardless of what happens against Iraq, Mbappé already has a World Cup record that no player in history can match.The French captain is the top scorer in the World Cup.He scored in France’s 4-2 win over Croatia in 2018 as a teenager before producing one of the most memorable goals in World Cup history in the 2022 final against Argentina, scoring a hat-trick despite France losing on penalties.
France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
These four goals in two different World Cups cannot be matched by any player.His entire World Cup career is also remarkable. Mbappé scored four goals during France’s triumph in 2018 before adding eight goals at Qatar 2022, where he finished as the winner of the Golden Boot competition. The two goals against Senegal now reach 14.
The first meeting between France and Iraq
Beyond Mbappé’s special events, Monday’s tournament will also be historic for both countries.France and Iraq have never met in an international event.According to French football records, this will be the fourth time that Les Bleus will face a new opponent at the World Cup.Previous models created different memories. France lost 1-0 to Senegal in 2002 before beating Togo 2-0 in 2006 and Honduras 3-0 in 2014.Deschamps believes that this first encounter will produce some positive results and remove any doubt that is appropriate for the final game of the game.For Mbappé, meanwhile, the evening offers the opportunity to celebrate a century of international appearances while at the same time approaching the most historic moment in the history of football.
