England have been put on notice: Kylian Mbappe is in unstoppable form at the World Cup. The France captain scored twice in a 3-0 win over Iraq, reaching 16 World Cup goals to draw level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. Asked about the so-called goals ‘saga’ with Lionel Messi, Mbappe was blunt: ‘I don’t watch what Lionel Messi does.’ With France now through to the knockout stages, Tuchel’s England have a clear measure of the threat standing between them and the trophy.
France through to the last 16 as Mbappe stars
France sealed their place in the knockout stages with a second straight win, a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iraq. Mbappe was the standout performer, finding the net twice.
The brace took the France captain to 16 World Cup goals, level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose, the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. At just 27, Mbappe has the outright record within touching distance.
For England, the message is unmistakable: France are serious title contenders and a potential knockout-round obstacle. Tuchel’s side will need to be at their very best to handle that kind of firepower.
‘I don’t watch what Messi does’ — Mbappe’s response
Asked about the goals ‘saga’ pitting him against Lionel Messi in the World Cup scoring charts, Mbappe shut the topic down: ‘I don’t watch what Lionel Messi does.’ For him, the collective comes before individual statistics.
The pair, former Paris Saint-Germain team-mates, continue to climb the tournament’s scoring charts in parallel. But the Frenchman made it clear his focus is the trophy, not an ego battle with the Argentina captain.
That calm is as worrying for rivals as his goals. Mbappe is a mature, focused player determined to carry France all the way.
What it means for England’s chances
England arrive at 2026 with genuine belief under Thomas Tuchel, led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, but Mbappe’s France look like one of the biggest barriers in their path.
A leader scoring at this rate makes any team a favourite. The Three Lions will back their own attacking talent to respond, but a potential meeting with France would be a true test of credentials.
Should England and France clash in the knockouts, shutting down Mbappe will be priority number one for the English defence. Lifting the trophy means finding a way past forwards of this calibre.
FAQ
How many World Cup goals does Mbappe have?
After his brace against Iraq, Mbappe has 16 World Cup goals, drawing level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose, the tournament’s all-time record holder.
Has France qualified for the knockout stages?
Yes. France’s 3-0 win over Iraq, their second straight victory, secured their place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
What did Mbappe say about his rivalry with Messi?
Mbappe played down the scoring battle, saying ‘I don’t watch what Lionel Messi does’, insisting his focus is on France’s collective goals rather than individual stats.
Is France a threat to England at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. With Mbappe in red-hot scoring form and a strong squad, France are among the top title favourites and a possible knockout opponent for England.
Can England win the 2026 World Cup?
Under Tuchel, with Kane and Bellingham leading the way, England are contenders, but they will need to overcome powerhouses like Mbappe’s France to lift the trophy.
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