Arsene Wenger Defends Kylian Mbappe, Predicts Standout 2026 World Cup Performance for France Star

Arsene Wenger has publicly defended Kylian Mbappe ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating the France captain has been made a scapegoat at Real Madrid and expressing confidence that the 27-year-old will shine on the international stage this summer.

Speaking to Le Figaro, the legendary former Arsenal manager offered a candid view of the circumstances surrounding Mbappe’s debut season in the Spanish capital. “There’s one man who is at the centre of all expectations: Kylian Mbappe,” Wenger said. “I’m ready to bet on it, he’s going to have a fantastic World Cup.”

Despite registering 42 goals across all competitions in his first year at Real Madrid, Mbappe has been a focal point of criticism, with reports of internal friction at the club. The discontent among sections of the Madrid fanbase has been significant, with millions of supporters reportedly signing petitions calling for the club to part ways with the French international.

Wenger attributed much of that criticism to the broader decline of the Madrid squad rather than any individual failing. “He’s been unfairly criticised often this season. He landed in an average Real Madrid team. Real has three or four world-class players. Before, they had ten. Football is such that you always need a scapegoat. He’s become that,” he told Le Figaro.

The former FIFA Chief of Global Football Development also pointed to Mbappe’s physical condition as a key advantage heading into the tournament. While several high-profile players arrive at major international competitions carrying the fatigue of deep club runs — particularly those involved in Champions League finals — Wenger suggested Mbappe’s season at club level has left him relatively fresh. “Kylian has everything it takes to have a great World Cup. He’s physically fresh, he’s not overworked,” Wenger explained. “I’ve seen players with 60 matches under their belts before the World Cup tell me, ‘I’m not making any progress in training and I have nothing left in my legs,’ but he’s not like that. There are international players who arrive completely exhausted. I haven’t seen many players have a great World Cup after a Champions League final.”

France, two-time World Cup winners in 1998 and 2018, are aiming to claim a third title. Mbappe has previously claimed he intends to outscore both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at this tournament, a statement that underlines the ambition surrounding Les Bleus’ campaign. The squad’s recent record at major tournaments includes a runners-up finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Mbappe scored eight goals including a hat-trick in the final against Argentina.

France will open their 2026 World Cup campaign in Group I against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, before facing Iraq and Norway in their remaining group-stage fixtures. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 nations.