Will Kylian Mbappé start for France against Iraq? Latest injury update ahead of historic 100th international appearance Football News:

Kylian Mbappe of France applauds fans at the end of the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

France’s all-time leading scorer is expected to make his 100th international appearance against Iraq, with Kylian Mbappé also closing in on some of the greatest goalscoring records in World Cup history.France head into their second Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup knowing that victory over Iraq will secure qualification for the Round of 32. 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 a remarkable feat to his international career.While the official starting line-up was not released until approximately an hour before kick-off, there are currently no health concerns surrounding the Real Madrid striker and the player and the French camp have been openly discussing the important throughout the build-up to the match. Mbappé himself spoke on the occasion during the pre-match media duties in France, leaving little doubt that he is expected to appear.“It’s always a great pleasure to have a chance to play for the national team. Nothing is bigger than the national team. 100 is a milestone and it’s special for me, but the importance of the match comes first. We have to win to qualify.”The milestone came with France well placed in Group I after opening their campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, a match in which Mbappé scored twice. However, Les Bleus are on three points with Norway, who started their tournament with a 4-1 victory over Iraq and currently hold a superior goal difference of three.

France is 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 keep their qualification hopes in check.Mbappé’s brace proved decisive and lifted him above Olivier Giroud as the leading goalscorer in French international football history. The two goals moved him to 58 goals for France, surpassing Giroud’s previous record of 57 and establishing a new benchmark for future generations.The result also puts France in a strong position heading into a meeting with an Iraqi side that suffered a heavy 4-1 loss to Norway in their opening fixture.Didier Deschamps has repeatedly emphasized that qualification remains the immediate goal.“The main objective is to secure victory and qualification,” said the French 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.“There is still a long way to go; we have only won one game. Tomorrow will be difficult, but we are on the right path. We must not look too far ahead; we must take each game as it comes.”A win would guarantee France a place in the knockout rounds with one group-stage fixture still to play.

The importance of a 100th appearance in France

If Mbappé takes the field as expected, he will become only the 10th French player to reach 100 international appearances.It was a remarkable feat given his age. Just 27, Mbappé made his France debut 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 100 caps will put him among the most important figures in French football history, with the 27-year-old still expected to add to that total.

Kylian Mbappe (10) of France celebrates after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

The milestone could also prove to be just another step towards even more appearance records.Didier Deschamps, currently coach of France, made 103 appearances for the national team during his playing career. If France enjoy a deep run in this tournament, Mbappé could move beyond this figure before the end of the competition.Looking ahead, Goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris remains France’s all-time appearance leader with 145 caps, a mark that will be more visible if Mbappé stays healthy and continues on his current path.

The history of the World Cup can be seen quickly

While the milestone appearance will dominate the headlines before kick-off, Mbappé will also enter the game within touching distance of several historic World Cup records.His two goals against Senegal increased his World Cup tally to 14 goals.That total puts him level with Germany legend Gerd Müller and leaves him just a few goals short of the tournament’s top scorer.The current all-time World Cup scoring leaderboard is remarkably crowded near the top.

The math is straightforward.A goal against Iraq will move Mbappé to 15 goals and level him with Ronaldo Nazário.A brace would take him to 16 goals and draw him level with Messi and Klose at the top of the all-time World Cup scoring charts.A hat-trick would take him to 17 goals and give him sole possession of the record as the top scorer in FIFA World Cup history.Since Mbappé is only 27 years old and probably has a few World Cup matches left in this tournament alone, the hope that he can finally claim the record directly appears more realistic.

Regardless of what happens against Iraq, Mbappé already has a World Cup record that no player in history can match.The French captain holds the record for the most 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 producing one of the most memorable individual performances in World Cup history in the 2022 final against Argentina, scoring a hat-trick despite France eventually losing on penalties.

Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, NJ, near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Those four goals in two different World Cup finals remain unmatched by any player.His overall body of work at the World Cup was equally remarkable. Mbappé scored four goals during France’s triumphant campaign in 2018 before adding eight goals at Qatar 2022, where he finished as the tournament’s Golden Boot winner. The two goals against Senegal now push the total to 14.

The first meeting between France and Iraq

Beyond Mbappé’s individual milestones, Monday’s competition will also mark a historic occasion for both countries.France and Iraq have never met in an official international fixture.According to French football records, this is only the fourth occasion this century that Les Bleus have faced a new opponent in a World Cup.Past examples evoke mixed memories. France lost 1-0 to Senegal in 2002 before beating Togo 2-0 in 2006 and Honduras 3-0 in 2014.Deschamps hopes this latest first-time encounter will produce another positive result and remove any qualification uncertainty ahead of the final round of group play.For Mbappé, meanwhile, the night offered a chance to celebrate a century of international appearances while simultaneously approaching some of the most famous records in football history.