France captain Kylian Mbappe has come to the defense of teammate Ousmane Dembele, who faced criticism after Les Bleus’ opening World Cup 2026 match against Senegal. Speaking ahead of their second group game against Iraq, Mbappe reminded critics of Dembele’s status as a Ballon d’Or winner.
Mbappe analyzed Dembele’s performance, stating that after reviewing the match twice, he believes Dembele was the standout attacker in the first half. The Real Madrid star emphasized that Dembele’s contributions were crucial, even if not always reflected on the scoresheet.
"In the first half, he was the best of our four forwards—the one who stood out the most," Mbappe said. "In the second half, Michael and I were decisive, but Ousmane also played a key role. He drew defenders and created space for our first goal."
Mbappe dismissed any notion of tension within the squad, insisting that Dembele remains calm and confident. "Ousmane is the Ballon d’Or winner—he has everyone’s confidence," the France captain added.
France will face Iraq on Monday, aiming to build on their opening victory. With Mbappe’s public backing, Dembele is expected to retain his place in the starting XI as the defending champions look to advance in the tournament.