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Mbappé one goal from Giroud's record and four from Klose before World Cup

Starting Thursday night against Côte d'Ivoire in Nantes, Kylian Mbappé can become France's all-time leading goalscorer in this warm-up match, then target Miroslav Klose's world record during the 2026 World Cup.

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Mbappé one goal from Giroud's record and four from Klose before World Cup
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Kylian Mbappé arrives at Stade de la Beaujoire on Thursday night facing Côte d’Ivoire with a double page of history within reach. Starting as striker for this first warm-up match ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the France captain is just one goal away from Olivier Giroud’s national record.

With 56 goals in 95 caps, the Real Madrid forward (28 years old) sits one behind Giroud’s all-time record of 57 goals in 137 appearances. Flanked by Michael Olise on the right, Rayan Cherki in the middle and Marcus Thuram or Bradley Barcola on the left, Mbappé has a favorable attacking setup to reach this milestone tonight.

While the national record seems within immediate reach, a second, more ambitious challenge awaits across the Atlantic. With 12 World Cup goals, Mbappé is currently France’s second-best World Cup scorer behind Just Fontaine and his 13 goals scored in the sole 1958 World Cup. But it is Miroslav Klose’s world record — 16 goals — that represents the ultimate horizon, ahead of Ronaldo Nazário (15) and Gerd Müller (14).

France will play a second warm-up match next Monday in Lille against Northern Ireland before heading to their base camp in the United States. In Group I, France will face Senegal on June 16, Iraq on June 22 and Norway on June 26, all opportunities for Mbappé to add to his tally.

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