Mbappé chases World Cup all-time scoring record against England in bronze final

Kylian Mbappé has a historic double incentive to feature for France against England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze final at Miami Stadium on Saturday, 18 July, with both the all-time World Cup scoring record and a second Golden Boot within reach.

Mbappé currently sits on 20 World Cup goals across his career, one behind Lionel Messi’s all-time record of 21. At this tournament alone, he has scored eight goals — level with Messi for the most at the 2026 edition. A single strike against England would rewrite the history books, making him the outright leading scorer in World Cup history.

The Golden Boot race adds another layer of motivation. Should Mbappé finish as the tournament’s top scorer, he would become the first player ever to win the award more than once, having previously claimed it at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Coach Didier Deschamps does have reasons to consider resting his captain, however. Mbappé is one of four France players — alongside Jules Koundé, Mike Maignan and Dayot Upamecano — who have logged more than 500 minutes at this tournament. With the final already beyond France’s reach, Deschamps may use the occasion to hand minutes to players yet to appear, including veterans Lucas Hernández and N’Golo Kanté, who have not featured at all, and younger options such as Warren Zaïre-Emery and Robin Risser.

The match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, 18 July at Miami Stadium.