Kylian Mbappé Leads France to World Cup Round of 16 Victory

Kylian Mbappé Expected to Play for France Against Morocco in World Cup Round of 16

France enters the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 against Morocco with a strong lead, having sent Paraguay home in a convincing fashion. On July 9, 2026, Kylian Mbappé was the star of the show on and off the field as Les Bleus looked like one of the tournament favorites once again.

What happened?

The build-up to the Morocco game has also been marred by the fallout from Mbappé's comments following the Paraguay win. While Didier Deschamps' side has impressed with another composed performance against South Americans. The French captain found himself in a public spat with Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, who has called for a public apology and even threatened legal action after accusing Mbappé of gender-based violence for comments he made after the game.

Why it matters for Kylian Mbappé

The controversy has been making headlines, but it did not impact his availability for France's next game. For fans, it's a no-brainer: Mbappé is starting to play for France. The Real Madrid superstar has no injury concerns, and Didier Deschamps is heavily dependent on his captain as France look to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

What comes next?

Mbappé has once again been France's attacking spark, with 7 goals and his signature speed and flair. His display against Paraguay cemented the Les Bleus' place in the quarterfinals. The off-field attention paid to his exchange with Amarilla has not bothered Deschamps, who has maintained his focus on football, and France is likely to be the strongest team they can field.

France Starting XI vs. Morocco

Formation: 4-2-3-1

- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan - Defenders: Jules Koundé, Dayot Upemecano, William Saliba, Lucas Digne - Midfielders: Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot - Attacking Midfielder: Michael Olise - Attackers: Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Désiré Doué

France did not make any major changes following their impressive victory over Paraguay. The defence has got great chemistry, and the midfield has been very good at dominating possession and keeping the back line safe. In the midfield, Aurélien Tchouaméni is still injured and is replaced by Manu Koné with N'Golo Kanté not starting again.

But Morocco is a very different story. Their disciplined defensive organisation and quick counter-attack will require patience from France, and Mbappé's movement and individual quality will be even more crucial. The France captain has taken his side to the last eight and all indications are that he will be the star of the tournament again, but this time, the focus will be on his football and not the controversy surrounding him.

France's Strongest XI

The France captain has taken his side to the last eight and all indications are that he will be the star of the tournament again, but this time, the focus will be on his football and not the controversy surrounding him. The French team's strong performance against Paraguay has given them a solid foundation to build on, and with Mbappé leading the charge, they are likely to be a force to be reckoned with in the quarterfinals.

And with the Morocco game just around the corner, France will be looking to secure another win and take their place in the quarterfinals. With Mbappé's speed and flair on the field, they are well-equipped to take on the challenge and come out on top.

The France team's strong performance against Paraguay has given them a solid foundation to build on, and with Mbappé leading the charge, they are likely to be a force to be reckoned with in the quarterfinals.

Conclusion

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