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