France’s all-time leading goalscorer is expected to make his 100th international appearance against Iraq, with Kylian Mbappé also closing in on several of the greatest goalscoring records in World Cup historyFrance head into their second Group I match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup knowing that victory over Iraq will secure qualification for the round of 16. For Kylian Mbappé, however, the occasion carries an extra layer of significance as he prepares to reach 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 face Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The milestone comes less than a week after Mbappé became France’s all-time leading goalscorer, adding another remarkable achievement to his international career.Although the official starting line-ups are not announced until about an hour before kick-off, there are currently no fitness concerns surrounding the Real Madrid striker and the player and the France camp have openly discussed the milestone in the build-up to the game. Mbappé himself addressed the occasion during France’s pre-match media duties, leaving little doubt that he is expected to feature.“It’s always a great pleasure to have the opportunity to play for the national team. Nothing is bigger than the national team. 100 is a milestone and it will be special for me, but the importance of the game will take precedence. We have to win to qualify.”The milestone comes with France well placed in Group I after opening their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, a game in which Mbappé scored twice. However, Les Bleus are level on three points with Norway, who started their tournament with a convincing 4-1 win over Iraq and currently have a superior goal difference of three.
France are looking to build on a strong start against Iraq
France kicked off their World Cup campaign with a dramatic 3-1 win over Senegal in New Jersey, overcoming a tough opening test to take control of their qualification hopes.Mbappé’s goal proved decisive and lifted him above Olivier Giroud as the leading goalscorer in the history of French men’s international football. The two goals took him to 58 goals for France, surpassing Giroud’s previous record of 57 and setting a new benchmark for generations to come.The result also put France in a strong position to face an Iraqi side who suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at the hands of Norway in their opening game.Didier Deschamps has repeatedly emphasized that qualification remains the immediate goal.“The primary goal is to secure victory and qualification,” said the France coach. “We will think about the final standings before our third game; one thing at a time.”Mbappé echoed that sentiment when discussing the challenge posed by Iraq.“We still have a long way to go; we’ve only won one game. Tomorrow will be difficult, but we’re on the right track. We can’t look too far ahead; we need to take each game as it comes.”A win would guarantee France a place in the knockout rounds with one more group stage game to play.
The significance of the 100th appearance for France
If Mbappé takes the field as expected, he will become only the 10th French player to reach 100 international appearances.The success is particularly significant considering his age. Still only 27, Mbappé made his debut for France in 2017 as an 18-year-old and has amassed 99 appearances and 58 goals in less than a decade at senior international level.Reaching the 100-game mark would put him among the most significant figures in French football history, and the 27-year-old is expected to add significantly to that tally.
France’s Kylian Mbappe (10) celebrates after scoring the 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 milestone could also prove to be just another step towards even bigger odds records.Didier Deschamps, the current coach of France, made 103 appearances for the national team during his playing career. If France enjoy a good run at this tournament, Mbappé could potentially surpass that figure before the competition is over.Looking ahead, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris remains France’s all-time caps leader with 145 games, a figure that looks increasingly within reach if Mbappé stays healthy and continues on his current trajectory.
The history of world championships quickly comes into view
While the milestone will dominate the headlines ahead of kick-off, Mbappé also enters the game within striking distance of several historic World Cup appearances.His two goals against Senegal took his World Cup tally to 14 goals.That tally puts him level with German legend Gerd Müller and leaves him just a few goals away from the most prolific scorers the tournament has ever produced.The current ranking of the best world championships of all time is incredibly condensed at the top:
- Lionel Messi – 16 goals
- Miroslav Klose – 16 goals
- Ronaldo Nazário – 15 goals
- Kylian Mbappé – 14 goals
The math is clear.A goal against Iraq would move Mbappé to 15 goals and tie him with Ronaldo Nazário.Two goals would take him to 16 goals and tie him with Messi and Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup goalscoring charts.A hat-trick would take him to 17 goals and give him sole possession of the record as the top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history.Given that Mbappé is still only 27 years old and potentially has several World Cup games left in this tournament alone, the prospect of him eventually owning the record seems increasingly real.
The tournament record already belongs to him
Regardless of what happens against Iraq, Mbappé already owns one World Cup record that no player in history can match.The captain of France holds the record for the number of goals scored in the World Cup finals.He scored in France’s 4-2 win over Croatia in the 2018 final as a teenager before turning in one of the most memorable individual performances in World Cup history during the 2022 final against Argentina, scoring a hat-trick despite France eventually losing on penalties.
France’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his team’s first 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)
Those four goals in two separate World Cup finals remain elusive for any player.His overall performance at the World Cup is equally outstanding. Mbappé scored four goals during France’s triumphant 2018 campaign before adding eight goals in Qatar 2022, where he finished as the Golden Boot winner. Two goals against Senegal have now taken that total to 14.
The first meeting between France and Iraq
Apart from Mbappé’s individual milestones, Monday’s competition will also mark a historic occasion for both nations.France and Iraq have never met in an official international match before.According to French football records, this will be only the fourth time this century that Les Bleus have faced a completely new opponent at the World Cup.Previous examples have produced mixed memories. France lost 1-0 to Senegal in 2002 before beating Togo 2-0 in 2006 and Honduras 3-0 in 2014.Deschamps will be hoping that this final first leg will yield another positive result and remove any qualification uncertainty ahead of the final group stage game.For Mbappé, meanwhile, the evening offers the chance to celebrate a century of international appearances while closing in on some of the most prestigious records in football history.
