The opening matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be remembered for Lionel Messi’s first-ever World Cup hat-trick and his ascent to the summit of the tournament’s all-time scoring chart. The 38-year-old Argentina captain struck three times in a 3-0 victory over Algeria in Kansas City, equalling Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals and immediately installing himself as the frontrunner for the Golden Boot. Viewed from Buenos Aires, the performance was a statement of intent from the defending champions, while across the Arab world and Southeast Asia, the feat dominated front pages and underscored Messi’s enduring brilliance even in the twilight of his international career.

Beyond Messi’s heroics, the first round of group fixtures delivered a blend of expected dominance and genuine surprise. Germany produced the most emphatic result, dismantling Curaçao 7-0 to top Group B with authority. Mexico, one of the three co-hosts, opened the tournament with a hard-fought win over South Africa, Julián Quiñones scoring the competition’s first goal. England and the United States also began with confident victories, the latter upsetting Paraguay. Yet the matchday was equally defined by the stumbles of several European heavyweights. Spain, despite dominating possession, were held to a goalless draw by Cape Verde – the only scoreless match among the 24 fixtures – while Portugal could not break down a resilient DR Congo. Brazil, meanwhile, were frustrated by a well-organised Morocco, a result that resonated strongly in both the Brazilian and Arab press as an early warning for the five-time champions.

The expanded 48-team format, with 12 groups of four, means that 32 nations will progress to an unprecedented round of 32, adding a new layer of jeopardy and opportunity. After 24 matches, 74 goals have been scored by 56 different players, a testament to the attacking intent on display. Only the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed sides will advance, making every point precious. The final, set for 19 July at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, remains a distant target, but the early indicators suggest a tournament where traditional hierarchies are under pressure.

Looking ahead, the race for the all-time scoring crown adds a compelling subplot. Kylian Mbappé, with 14 World Cup goals, is the only active player within striking distance of Messi and Klose, and his pursuit will be closely watched from Paris to Tokyo. Harry Kane’s brace for England also signalled his intent. As matchday two approaches, the question is whether the opening-round surprises were mere blips or signs of a deeper shift in the global balance of power. For now, the narrative belongs to Messi, but the 2026 World Cup has already shown it will not follow a predictable script.