Kylian Mbappe Faces Controversy Over Betting Ads Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Spanish media reports have unveiled a new controversy brewing within the French national team camp, this time involving star player Kylian Mbappe, just days ahead of the kickoff for the 2026 World Cup.

The upcoming tournament is set to commence next Thursday, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking the first time 48 teams will participate in the history of the event.

Mbappe’s Dilemma with Betting Promotions

According to Mundo Deportivo, a heated debate has erupted among the French squad. This controversy diverges from previous issues linked to Real Madrid that surfaced at the end of last season, as it revolves around the national team instead.

The reports indicate that Mbappe has strongly objected to the use of his image without consent in a promotional campaign for a betting company, specifically Betclic, leading to discontent within the team.

The company reportedly published an image featuring Mbappe alongside fellow players such as Rayan Cherki, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele, and Désiré Doué ahead of a friendly match against Ivory Coast, without prior knowledge from the players regarding its usage in this context.

Sources revealed that both Mbappe and Rayan Cherki officially expressed their anger to the French Football Federation, demanding clarification on how their images were exploited without permission.

This is not the first instance where Mbappe has voiced concerns over such campaigns. He previously criticized associations between brands and gambling, emphasizing that many players come from backgrounds adversely affected by these issues and are opposed to promoting something that could harm society.