Kylian Mbappe’s Speed Compared to Fastest NFL Players and World Cup Rivals

How Fast is Kylian Mbappe?

Speed might not always be the top priority in soccer, but it sure ranks high. Especially when many players lack quickness, someone like Kylian Mbappe stands out as one of the fastest ever seen on the pitch. There are plenty of skilled players with great technique this World Cup, yet few match Mbappe's blistering pace.

Borrowing from Muhammad Ali's famous line, Mbappe moves so fast he could "turn off the light switch" and reach his bed before darkness arrives. Watching him sprint past defenders or chase down loose balls is thrilling; he often ends up firing shots that leave goalkeepers behind.

Measuring Mbappe's Speed

Amongst the sport's speed demons, Mbappe ranks at the top. During this World Cup, he hit a peak speed of 37.6 km/h (about 23.4 mph), which beats the next fastest players by 2 km/h. Achraf Hakimi and Erling Haaland followed close behind at 35.6 km/h.

His rapid bursts were clear in France's 2-0 quarter-final victory over Morocco. After a turnover near France's half, Mbappe sprinted past defenders so quickly that Noussair Mazraoui had to foul him inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick.

PENALTY AWARDED TO FRANCE 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/DLyMFi1mLG— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 9, 2026

How Does Mbappe Compare to NFL Speedsters?

Translating Mbappe’s speed to a 40-yard dash—a test sprinters use—is tricky since soccer sprints cover varying distances and terrains. Yet, his top speed indicates he’d perform well in such a sprint.

Trainer Gareth Sandford studied Mbappe’s Champions League sprint data from the 2022-23 season and found his max speed reached 10.19 meters per second, just 2 m/s slower than Usain Bolt's record pace. Interestingly, Sandford noted Mbappe's speed aligns more with 800m runners rather than pure 100m sprinters.

Mbappe's top speed matches NFL wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who clocked 23.24 mph in 2017. While Mbappe may not rival the fastest 40-yard dash times by athletes like John Ross or Xavier Worthy, his metrics suggest he'd still be impressive if he competed in that event.

Historical Top Speeds

According to Sports Illustrated, Mbappe once reached 38 km/h (23.6 mph) during a 2019 match against AS Monaco, marking him as one of soccer’s fastest ever.