League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Stephen A. Smith discusses World Cup, links it to NBA Finals defeat

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 17, 2026, 11:42 PM

Last updated Jun 17, 2026

Stephen A. Smith discusses World Cup, links it to NBA Finals defeat

Summary

On June 17, Stephen A. Smith suggested on ESPN’s 'First Take' that France could potentially win the World Cup, despite having won it twice before. He highlighted Kylian Mbappe's performance in France's 3-1 victory over Senegal, drawing parallels to NBA player Victor Wembanyama's recent Finals exit. His comments sparked a backlash on social media, with users criticizing his lack of awareness regarding France's history in the tournament. This exchange reflects ongoing discussions about sports commentary during prominent events.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

What We Know

•Smith referenced France's past World Cup wins during his analysis.
•He compared Mbappe's performance to Wembanyama's postseason outcome.
•Social media users reacted strongly to Smith's comments.
•France won 3-1 against Senegal, enhancing Mbappe's profile.

Latest Updates

11:42 PMYahoo Sports — Stephen A. Smith’s embarrassing World Cup take linked to Wemby NBA finals defeat

What they're saying

"
Stephen A. Smith was left ruing an embarrassing moment after he suggested that France might be able to win the World Cup for the first time.
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

San Antonio Spurs NBA Basketball