The 2026 FIFA World Cup is only a week old, but the tournament already has everything – history, emerging stars, managerial casualties and a title race beginning to take shape.
Lionel Messi reminded everyone why he’s still football’s greatest showman (unless you are a Ronaldo fan), Erling Haaland finally announced himself on the World Cup stage, France underlined their championship credentials and Tunisia became the first nation to sack their head coach.
Here’s how another unforgettable round of fixtures unfolded.
Messi’s masterpiece sends Argentina top
When Argentina needed their captain to lead from the front, Lionel Messi delivered one of the greatest individual performances of his World Cup career.
Playing in his record sixth FIFA World Cup and making his 200th appearance for Argentina, the 38-year-old scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his career as the defending champions comfortably defeated Algeria 3-0 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Messi struck in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes, drawing level with Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals while becoming the oldest player ever to score a World Cup hat-trick.
Argentina barely looked troubled. Enzo Fernández dictated the tempo, Lautaro MartÃnez stretched Algeria’s defence with intelligent movement and Lionel Scaloni’s side once again looked every inch the favourites to retain the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago.
For Algeria, the defeat leaves them needing a positive result against Jordan to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Haaland finally gets his World Cup moment
It had been one of football’s biggest unanswered questions – what would Erling Haaland do on the World Cup stage?
The answer came quickly.
The Manchester City striker scored twice as Norway dismantled Iraq 4-1, giving one of Europe’s most exciting generations the perfect start to life at the tournament.
Martin Ødegaard controlled proceedings from midfield while Antonio Nusa and Oscar Bobb also found the net, showcasing the attacking quality that has many tipping Norway as this tournament’s dark horse.
For a nation that hadn’t appeared at a World Cup since France 1998, it was the perfect return.
France send another warning to the chasing pack
If Argentina made a statement, France responded with one of their own.
Les Bleus defeated Senegal 3-1, showing the depth and attacking quality that has made them one of the favourites in North America. Mbappe scored a brace.
Senegal competed well in spells but struggled to contain France’s relentless movement and pace in transition. The victory puts Didier Deschamps’ side in early control of Group I ahead of a fascinating clash with Norway that could decide top spot.
While Ivory Coast remain the only African nation to have opened their campaign with victory following their 1-0 win over Ecuador, Senegal joined Algeria in suffering defeat during the latest round of fixtures.
Saudi Arabia frustrate Uruguay as Group H remains wide open
One of the biggest surprises came in Group H, where Saudi Arabia earned a deserved 1-1 draw against Uruguay.
The South Americans dominated possession for long periods but couldn’t find the breakthrough, as Saudi Arabia defended with discipline before punishing them at the other end.
The result leaves the group perfectly balanced after Spain were also held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde.
Rather than seeing two traditional heavyweights pull clear, Group H has become one of the tournament’s most unpredictable sections.
Around the Grounds
Elsewhere, Iran and New Zealand shared an entertaining 2-2 draw in Group G, while Belgium were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Egypt in another result that blew the group wide open.
Spain were left frustrated after being held 0-0 by Cape Verde, but the biggest winner on the day may have been Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. The veteran stopper produced a string of outstanding saves to earn Player of the Match honours, with his heroic display quickly attracting global attention and a surge in followers across social media.
Sweden recorded the biggest win of the round by thrashing Tunisia 5-1, but the fallout came after the final whistle. Tunisia dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the heavy defeat, making them the first nation to change managers during the tournament, with Hervé Renard returning to take charge.
The Bigger Picture
One round of fixtures doesn’t decide a World Cup, but the early storylines are becoming impossible to ignore.
Argentina and France already look like genuine title contenders. Norway have announced themselves as a team nobody will want to face. Group H has exploded into one of the most competitive groups in the competition, while Tunisia’s coaching change has become the tournament’s first major off-field drama.
With England, Portugal and Croatia still to begin their campaigns, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is only just getting started – and it’s already delivering on every front.
