Les Bleus left Qatar 2026 with a historic mark in their books. Michael Olise made headlines by smashing the World Cup assist record. The Bayern Munich midfielder set up two more goals for Kylian Mbappé on Saturday night in the third-place playoff against England, lifting his tally to seven assists at the tournament. That breaks Pelé’s mark of six from 1970 - though pre-1966 data is incomplete.
What happened?
France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup after a 6-4 loss to England in the third-place playoff. Olise, already credited with five assists for Mbappé in this tournament, added two more to seal his record. Bayern Munich reinforced its status as a hotbed for France’s national team, with a key performer in this competition.
The match, played under stifling heat, delivered a goal-fest. Les Bleus, despite the defeat, showed grit by pulling back to within two goals after England’s opener. Mbappé, meanwhile, turned those assists into goals: he is now the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 22 goals, one more than Lionel Messi.
Why Olise’s record matters for France
Olise is the first Frenchman to hold the World Cup assist record. His deliveries were vital for Mbappé, who scored ten goals in this World Cup. France, after beating Morocco 2-0 on 9 July 2026, had strung together five straight wins before this third-place playoff.
The record spotlights France’s depth. With a side in transition after the 2022 World Cup, Olise and Mbappé’s performances are reassuring for the future. Les Bleus remain on a positive run despite this playoff loss.
What’s next?
France now looks ahead to Euro 2028. The next official fixture is a 25 September 2026 away game against Türkiye. Despite the disappointment, Les Bleus have a solid core for the next cycle.
Olise’s record also underscores how rich the 2026 World Cup was in twists. Between standout individual feats and collective surprises, the tournament confirmed the rise of fresh talent. France, despite the fourth-place finish, can take positives from this campaign.
