Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into football history by scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The three goals took the 38-year-old’s World Cup tally to 16, equalling German striker Miroslav Klose’s all-time tournament record.   Messi also became the first player to appear in six World Cups and the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. The Argentina captain reached the milestone exactly 20 years after making his World Cup debut. Defending champions Argentina opened their campaign strongly, with Messi once again proving decisive on football’s biggest stage. (PC: X)

Erling Haaland marked his FIFA World Cup debut with two goals as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in their opening match of the 2026 tournament. The Manchester City striker opened the scoring before adding another after forcing an error from Iraq goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.   The victory was Norway’s biggest-ever World Cup win and their first goal in the tournament since 1998. Haaland now has 57 goals in 51 appearances for Norway, underlining his importance to the national team. Iraq briefly equalised through Aymen Hussein, but Norway responded strongly to secure a comfortable win and make an impressive start to their World Cup campaign.  

Lionel Messi delivered a stunning performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring the first World Cup hat-trick of his career in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria. The 38-year-old captain opened the scoring with a powerful long-range strike before adding two more goals in the second half.   The hat-trick took Messi's World Cup tally to 16 goals, drawing level with German legend Miroslav Klose as the tournament's joint-highest scorer. Messi also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. His dominant display sent a strong message that Argentina remain serious contenders to defend their world title.  

New Zealand defender Tyler Bindon and his mother, former footballer Jenny Bindon, have made FIFA World Cup history as the first mother-son pair to appear in the tournament. Jenny represented New Zealand at the 2007 and 2011 Women’s World Cups, while Tyler made his debut for the All Whites at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their achievement marks a unique milestone in international football and highlights the family’s lasting legacy in the sport. Tyler said his mother’s experience and support played a major role in shaping his career and inspiring his journey to football’s biggest stage. (PC: X)

Argentina captain Lionel Messi delivered a memorable performance by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria in their opening Group J match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The three goals took the 38-year-old's World Cup tally to 16, equalling the all-time men's scoring record held by former Germany striker Miroslav Klose. Playing in his sixth World Cup and 200th international match, Messi also became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick. The victory gave defending champions Argentina a perfect start to their title defence. 

Germany's preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 took an unusual turn after several snakes were spotted near the team's training base. Midfielder Joshua Kimmich addressed the situation with humor and calm, insisting the unexpected visitors had not disrupted the squad's focus. Team officials implemented precautionary measures to ensure player safety, while training continued as scheduled. Despite the bizarre distraction, Germany remain concentrated on their World Cup objectives following their emphatic opening victory. The incident has become one of the tournament's more unusual off-field stories, attracting widespread attention among fans and media. (PC: X)

France kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Senegal, powered by a brilliant performance from Kylian Mbappé. The French captain scored twice to inspire the defending European champions and underline their title credentials. Senegal fought back after falling behind and briefly threatened a comeback, but France's attacking quality proved decisive. The win gives Didier Deschamps' side an ideal start in Group I, while Mbappé's brace further cemented his status as one of the tournament's biggest stars and a leading contender for the Golden Boot. (PC: X)

Lionel Messi delivered a sensational performance for Argentina in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J opener against Algeria, scoring a hat-trick as the reigning champions established a commanding lead. The 38-year-old captain marked his 200th international appearance with another historic display, extending his remarkable World Cup legacy. Argentina dominated possession and created several chances, while Algeria struggled to break down a disciplined defense. With the match still underway, Messi's brilliance has put Argentina firmly in control as they seek a winning start to their title defense. (PC: X)

Kylian Mbappe made history by equalling Olivier Giroud as France's joint all-time top scorer with 57 goals. The forward scored in the 66th minute to give France a 1-0 lead over Senegal in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match. Playing his 99th game for France, Mbappe finished a pass from Michael Olise for his 13th World Cup goal. Earlier, Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made key saves to keep the score level. Ismaila Sarr also missed a big chance before half-time. France now look set to begin their World Cup campaign with a victory.

Lionel Messi is set to make his 200th appearance for Argentina when the world champions face Algeria in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on Wednesday. The 39-year-old captain will become only the second player to reach the milestone in international football. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi's global appeal, saying, "Everybody wants to see him play." Messi is expected to start after recovering from a minor hamstring concern. Defending champions Argentina begin their title defence as favourites, but Algeria will look to cause an upset in the Group H clash in Kansas City. (PC: Reuters)