Stephen A. Smith Forgets France Already Won the World Cup — Social Media Had Questions

Stephen A. Smith has built a career on loud opinions and confident delivery. But when he turned his attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday’s First Take, the confidence wasn’t matched by the facts — and the internet noticed immediately.

What Did Smith Say?

During a segment on France and Kylian Mbappé, Smith said: “I’m wondering what France is going to do. Could this be the year that they finally get it done and they win the World Cup?”

The problem? France already won the World Cup in 2018. They also reached the final in 2022, losing to Argentina on penalties after a 3-3 draw through extra time. In soccer, winning the tournament four years ago is not ancient history — it’s the last cycle.

Why This Matters

Smith is one of the most visible sports commentators in the United States, and First Take commands a massive daily audience. When a personality with that platform flubs a basic fact — like forgetting the reigning champions are, in fact, champions — it fuels a familiar debate about whether American sports media takes soccer seriously enough. Fans and analysts alike jumped on the moment.

“Leave the analysis, before the analysis leaves you,” wrote user Justin Russo on social media.

Another user posted ironically: “Hopefully Argentina and Messi can also finally get it done and win the World Cup. It’s been so long.”

Former MLS and USMNT striker Taylor Twellman reacted with three frozen-face emojis — a cold take, indeed.

“Just embarrassing s— lol,” added another user.

The clip spread quickly, gathering hundreds of quote tweets and replies by midday.

The Bigger Picture

In the history of the World Cup, only two nations — Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) — have successfully defended the title. France entered the 2026 tournament trying to become the third. To frame them as a team trying to “finally get it done” ignores that they already have, and recently. Mbappé scored twice in France’s opening match, and Smith correctly noted the hat trick in the 2022 final — but winning the whole thing isn’t a hypothetical for Les Bleus.

The moment underscores the challenge facing U.S. soccer coverage: as the World Cup grows in American popularity, the bar for basic research should rise with it. For a veteran broadcaster like Smith, forgetting a team’s recent championship isn’t just a slip — it’s a missed opportunity to elevate the conversation.