Mbappe v Haaland: Who is more important for their country?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Mbappe v Haaland: Who is more important for their country? Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe have both scored four goals at the 2026 World CupByMatt JonesBBC Sport journalistPublished2 hours agoTwo of the greatest forwards in world football will go head-to-head at Boston Stadium on Friday, as France and Kylian Mbappe take on Norway and Erling Haaland. Both nations have won their opening two group-stage matches at the World Cup, helped by devastating displays from their star strikers.

Mbappe and Haaland have each scored twice in both of their opening games, leaving them on four goals for the tournament. Lionel Messi leads the race for the Golden Boot with five. With top spot in Group I still up for grabs, both players are expected to start despite their teams having already secured qualification for the knockout stages.

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The match effectively serves as a playoff to determine who finishes first and, in theory, earns a more favourable path in the bracket. Sport looks at how important each player is to his team before what promises to be a captivating World Cup contest. How important are they?

Although both are key players for their clubs, the importance of Mbappe and Haaland is elevated even further on the international stage. Since August 2022, France have won 69. 8% of their matches with Mbappe in the side, compared with just 50% without him.

Mbappe, France's all-time leading goalscorer, also helps make the team more productive in attack. During that period, Les Bleus have averaged 2. 3 goals per game with him in the team, compared with 1.

What Experts Say

Given Norway's comparatively limited depth, it is no surprise that Haaland is even more crucial to his nation. Since August 2022, Norway have won 64. 5% of matches with Haaland in the team, compared with just 33.

This World Cup has shown that neither player is daunted by the pressure of a major tournament too. For all the focus on Messi, it feels only a matter of time before Mbappe reels him in at the top of the World Cup scoring charts. The Frenchman trails the 39-year-old by just two goals after scoring 16 times in 16 World Cup appearances.

Crucially, Mbappe is 12 years younger than Messi and, while you would not completely rule out the Argentina legend returning in four years' time, this is likely to be his final World Cup. Haaland is playing in his first World Cup and has taken to the tournament like a Viking rower to water. He is the sixth player in World Cup history to score multiple goals in each of his first two appearances at the tournament and only the second to do so in the past 50 years, after Harry Kane for England in 2018.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.