Overview
- Mbappé published an illustrated open letter on Monday that thanked supporters, teammates and backroom staff and said France’s failure to win the World Cup “hurts” and will linger.
- He stressed that his tournament Golden Boot, earned with 10 goals, “belongs as much to the team as it belongs to me” and credited teammates for their runs, passes and work that enabled his scoring.
- France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup after a semi-final defeat to eventual winners Spain and a third-place loss to England, a campaign Mbappé described as a source of pride despite the outcome.
- Reports within the coverage say Didier Deschamps is set to be replaced by Zinedine Zidane as France coach, a change presented as reported rather than officially confirmed.
- Mbappé is on holiday and is expected to return to Real Madrid training under coach José Mourinho, a return that closes the World Cup chapter and begins a transitional period for the player and the national team.