Kylian Mbappe’s Speed Compared to NFL Stars and Top World Cup Players
Kylian Mbappe stands out as one of soccer's quickest athletes ever. His speed is not just impressive for football but also compares intriguingly with top athletes in other sports. Mbappe regularly leaves defenders behind, reaching a top speed of 37.6 km/h (around 23.4 mph) during the 2026 World Cup, making him the fastest player in the tournament by a clear margin.
This pace beats his closest competitors, including Achraf Hakimi and Erling Haaland, by about 2 km/h. During France’s 2-0 quarter-final victory against Morocco, Mbappe’s swift breakaway forced a foul inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick that helped secure the win.
Comparing Mbappe’s Speed to the 40-Yard Dash
It’s tricky to directly compare Mbappe’s open-field sprint speed to the 40-yard dash used in American football scouting. The 40-yard dash measures explosive speed over a short distance on turf, whereas Mbappe’s speed happens over longer stretches of grass in a game setting. Still, his top velocity suggests he could do well in this test.
Trainer Gareth Sandford analyzed Mbappe’s Champions League season sprint data and found his maximum speed was 10.19 meters per second—about 2 m/s slower than Usain Bolt’s peak. Interestingly, Sandford mentioned that Mbappe’s speed resembles that of 800m runners rather than pure 100m sprinters. This means Mbappe’s endurance and acceleration play a big role in how he uses his speed during matches.
Mbappe’s top speed is close to Tyreek Hill’s, who recorded 23.24 mph in 2017. Although Mbappe might not match the fastest 40-yard dash times set by sprinters like John Ross or Xavier Worthy, the data hints he would perform well if tested.
Fastest Speeds Recorded
Sports Illustrated reported Mbappe reached 38 km/h (23.6 mph) during a 2019 match against AS Monaco, placing him among the fastest soccer players ever. For the 2026 World Cup, here’s how Mbappe’s speed stacks up against other fast players:
Mbappe’s speed doesn’t just set him apart in soccer; it invites comparisons across sports, showing how exceptional his athleticism truly is.
