Kylian Mbappe Approaches 100th Cap as France Captain Against Iraq

Milestone Appearance for Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe is poised to achieve a significant milestone as he prepares to captain France in his 100th international match against Iraq on June 22 at the Philadelphia Stadium. This event marks a notable point in his career with the national team.

As reported on the FIFA website, this achievement will place Mbappe among an elite group, making him only the tenth player in the history of French football to earn 100 caps.

During the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, Mbappe is also on the verge of breaking another record. With 14 goals in World Cup tournaments, he is just five goals shy of surpassing Lionel Messi's record of 18 goals, positioning him as a potential all-time top scorer in World Cup history.

A Glorious Start to His International Career

Mbappe made his debut for the French national team on March 25, 2017, in a 3-1 victory over Luxembourg during the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2018. He netted his first international goal later that year in a 4-0 win against the Netherlands at Stade de France.

Since then, he has become a pivotal figure for France, significantly contributing to the team's success on the international stage.

Rise to Stardom

Mbappe first gained national attention when he helped Monaco clinch the Ligue 1 title in 2017, but it was during the 2018 FIFA World Cup that his talent truly shone. He scored his first World Cup goal against Peru in the group stage and delivered a remarkable performance against Argentina in the Round of 16, where he won a penalty converted by Antoine Griezmann and scored twice in a thrilling 4-3 victory, a crucial moment in France's journey to the championship.

In the final against Croatia, he made history as the second-youngest player to score in a World Cup final, following Pele, as France triumphed 4-2, making him a world champion at just 19.

Continued Success and Leadership

Following the disappointment at UEFA EURO 2020, Mbappe rebounded by leading France to victory in the UEFA Nations League in 2021, scoring the decisive goal against Spain in the final.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he reached new heights, netting eight goals, including a historic hat-trick in the final against Argentina. Although France lost in a penalty shootout, he earned the Golden Boot and set a record with four goals in World Cup finals.

Now serving as the captain of France, Mbappe continues to break records. In the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he scored twice against Senegal, becoming the all-time leading scorer for France with his 58th goal on his 99th appearance.