Mbappe backs Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele ahead of Iraq's clash

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France is all set to lock horns with Iraq in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 match. The clash is scheduled to be played on June 23 at the Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania.

Ahead of the match, France’s skipper Kylian Mbappe has backed Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele by saying he will be a fundamental player for Les Bleus.

“Ousmane? I have watched the game back twice; in the first half, he was the best of the four in attack, the one who stood out the most. In the second half, Michael and I were decisive, but he also contributed. He drew in an opponent and left free space for the first goal. Ousmane is very calm. He is the Ballon d’Or winner, and he has everyone’s confidence. I am sure that, starting from tomorrow, he will move forward again. He is going to be a fundamental player for us, that is for sure,” he said according to goal.com.

Later, the skipper heaped praise on Michael Olise by saying that he can do something different in each match.

“He is an exceptional player with a style that everyone likes. There is a lot of movement, we have more talented people, and maybe tomorrow two other players will shine. He has the ability to create something different in every game,” said Mbappe.

If France manage to secure a win in the clash against Iraq, the team will then qualify for the round of 16. Kylian Mbappe-led France will lock horns with Norway on June 27 at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappe’s iconic record

Earlier in the match against Senegal, Mbappe produced two crucial goals to script history for the nation.

After his first goal, the France striker had surpassed Argentina’s Lionel Messi on the all-time World Cup scoring list. However, later Messi went ahead of Mbappe when he registered his first-ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick during the match against Algeria.

The 27-year-old’s second goal helped him become France’s highest-ever goalscorer.

With a tally of 58 international goals, Mbappe surpassed previous record-holder Olivier Giroud, who scored 57 goals.

(With ANI Inputs)

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