As stated in a GOAL report on Saturday, June 6, 2026, Kylian Mbappe, a forward for France, has expressed his desire to compete against Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He mentioned that this tournament might be the last opportunity for both stars to participate.
The 27-year-old, who was part of the French team that won the World Cup in 2018 and earned the Golden Boot during the 2022 event, continues to be a prominent figure as the new tournament approaches. With France anticipated to be one of the top contenders again, Mbappe’s comments have generated even more excitement about the upcoming event.
When questioned about the players he most looked forward to competing against in the World Cup, Mbappe highlighted two of the sport’s most famous figures. He specifically mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of Portugal, and Brazil’s Neymar as athletes he wishes to encounter on the international stage, considering it might be their last World Cup.
Mbappe emphasized that both Ronaldo and Neymar are approaching the conclusion of their international careers, suggesting that the 2026 tournament could potentially be their final appearance at this prominent event. He noted that competing against them at this point would hold special meaning due to their influence in football and the limited chances left to go head-to-head with them on such a grand scale.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who is nearing retirement, is anticipated to play his last World Cup for Portugal. On the other hand, Neymar also faces uncertainty regarding how many significant international tournaments he will participate in from now on.
Mbappe’s reference to Neymar also adds a deeper layer because of their connection at Paris Saint-Germain. They spent several seasons together at the French club, forming a well-known attacking duo before Neymar moved on. Thus, a potential matchup between France and Brazil would see former teammates clashing on the sport’s largest platform.
The captain of France also reminisced about his past World Cup journeys. In 2018, he won the tournament as a young player and showcased an outstanding performance in the final of 2022, where he scored a hat-trick against Argentina but ended up losing after a penalty shootout.
Despite that setback, France remains one of the top teams vying for the 2026 championship, thanks to the strength of their lineup and rich offensive talent. Mbappe is expected to be pivotal as they kick off their campaign in the group stages.
France has been placed in a tough group and will begin their tournament facing Senegal, followed by matches against Iraq and Norway. The team aims to gain momentum early as they chase another significant run in the event.