Mbappé's Greatest World Cup Moments — and Why 2026 Could Define His Legacy

Kylian Mbappé announced himself to the world at Russia 2018 and came agonisingly close in 2022. These are his greatest World Cup moments — with 2026 set to be his biggest stage yet.

World Cup Debut

Having enjoyed a breakout year with Monaco, in which he made his debut for France, Mbappé moved to PSG for the 2017/18 season. An impressive tally of 21 goals in 44 matches saw him called up to Didier Deschamps’ squad, and the teenager made his World Cup bow in a 2-1 win over Australia in Kazan.

Youngest French Scorer at a World Cup

The precocious Parisian, fresh from his World Cup debut, went on to score the only goal of the match in a 1-0 win over Peru in Yekaterinburg. In truth, Olivier Giroud’s strike was probably going over the line anyway, but Mbappé made sure it did and the hotshot was off the mark and became France’s youngest scorer at a World Cup in the process.

Matching Pele

The knockout stages beckoned for France and Mbappé took Argentina apart in the round of 16 as he scored a brace. Two Mbappé goals in four second half minutes took the game beyond Argentina who lost 4-3, with Mbappé becoming the first teenager since Pele in 1958 to score two goals in a knockout match.

World Cup Winners

Mbappé’s first World Cup could hardly have gone better, with the Frenchman netting two against Croatia in the World Cup final as Les Bleus lifted the trophy for the first time since 1998. Once again, his name was intertwined with Pele, as he became the first teenager since the legendary Brazilian to score in a World Cup final. As if things weren’t going well enough, his four goals helped him secure the Young Player of the Tournament Award.

The Curse is Lifted

The Curse of the World Cup winners began with France in 2002, when, as defending champions, they were dumped out in the group stage. That started a run of 2006 winners Italy exiting at the group stage in 2010, with Spain and Germany falling foul of the curse in 2014 and 2018 respectively. This French team were built different however, and a brace from Mbappé against Denmark helped secure the defending champions’ progress through to the knockout stages.

World Cup Heartache

Having won the final in 2018, France were beaten by Argentina in the Qatar final, despite the best efforts of Mbappé. The PSG star scored a hat trick in the final and his penalty in a shoot-out which was ultimately won by the South Americans. No one has scored more than his four goals in World Cup finals and his eight goals in the Gulf saw him win the Golden Boot. With 12 goals across his two World Cups, he is tied sixth on the all-time scorers list, level once again with that man Pele.

Kylian Mbappé World Cup Odds

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, we have looked at some of the markets where you can back the Real Madrid man. Despite plenty of noise surrounding his future at club level, he still banged in 42 goals in 44 matches for Madrid this season. Now captain of the national side, he will once again be France’s main man, and it could be a defining World Cup for him. He needs five goals to surpass Miroslav Klose and become the greatest goalscorer in World Cup history, whilst another final appearance with France would see him emulate Cafu in playing in three successive finals.

France to win the World Cup @ 19/4

Mbappé Top Goalscorer @ 11/2

Mbappé to Score Four or More Goals @ 5/6

France/Mbappé Winner/Top Scorer @ 16/1

Mbappé to Score a Hat-Trick @ 11/4

Mbappé to Win the Golden Ball @ 17/2

All prices correct as of 13:30, Tuesday 9^th June 2026. Prices are subject to change.