Mbappé : 'It doesn't matter facing Belgium... And we're not the best team in French history'

Kylian Mbappé, the star of the French team, said that the Blues were ready for the 2026 World Cup semifinals. But Belgium is not the only team to fear. According to the Spanish newspaper 'Marca', the attacker said in a mixed zone : 'It doesn't matter. If it's Belgium, so be it for Belgium ; if it's Spain, so be it for Spain. We'll see. It's a semifinal, it will be complicated anyway. '

What motivates Mbappé ?

Asked about his role as a leader, he said : 'I feel really good with the French team. It's a team, a group for which I have a lot of affection. There are many players in this team who are my friends and whom I have known for many years, and there are also, of course, the young players who consider me as an older player. '

What should Belgium fear ?

Mbappé added : 'I must be a model for the team, more on an emotional and psychological level than on a technical level on the field, because I am the player who has played the most World Cup matches in this group. I know perfectly what it means to play in the World Cup, and what I must transmit and teach to my teammates. '

What's next ?

Mbappé concluded by comparing the current generation to that of 2018, saying : 'This team is not the strongest. I was crowned world champion then vice-champion, while this team has not yet won anything. But it's the one that has the greatest potential, which facilitates the projection towards the future. The current group has an exceptional quality that makes us dream, but only the strong teams win titles, and for now, I don't see any gold cup alongside me. '

Last match : Belgium 1-2 Spain

Belgium lost its last match against Spain with a score of 2-1, on July 10, 2026. This defeat marked the second consecutive defeat of Belgium.

Next match : Belgium - Italy

Belgium will face Italy in its next match, on September 25, 2026, away.

Injured players

The following players are currently injured : J. Doku, A. Onana and Z. Debast.