Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland Shine on FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Day

The opening day of the FIFA World Cup 2026 was nothing short of spectacular, featuring Lionel Messi's historic hat-trick, Kylian Mbappe's record-breaking goals, and Erling Haaland's impressive debut. With a total of seven goals scored by these football icons, the tournament kicked off with thrilling action and set the stage for an exciting competition. Messi's performance not only tied him with Miroslav Klose as the all-time leading scorer but also marked a significant milestone in his illustrious career. As fans celebrated the highest attendance in World Cup history, the race for the Golden Boot is already heating up. Discover all the highlights from this unforgettable day.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 23:37 IST

Historic Performances Mark World Cup Kickoff

Kansas City (Missouri) witnessed a spectacular opening day of the FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring remarkable performances from football legends Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland. The trio collectively netted seven goals, with Messi's stunning hat-trick leading Argentina to a 3-0 victory over Algeria, while Mbappe's two goals helped France secure a 3-1 win against Senegal. Haaland also made headlines by scoring twice in Norway's 4-1 triumph over Iraq, according to FIFA.

Messi, making his record sixth appearance in World Cup finals at the age of 38, showcased his enduring talent by achieving his first World Cup hat-trick. This performance not only tied him with Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 16 goals but also solidified his legacy as the first player to participate in six World Cups.

The Argentine captain opened the scoring with a signature long-range shot, followed by a rebound goal, and capped off his hat-trick with a precise left-footed strike from outside the box, thrilling the Kansas City crowd. This achievement also saw him surpass legends like Gerd Muller and Ronaldo on the all-time World Cup scoring list, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of his first World Cup goal against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006.

Earlier, Mbappe made history during France's match against Senegal. After a goalless first half, he scored twice, bringing his international goal tally to 58 and surpassing Olivier Giroud to become France's all-time leading scorer. His two goals also marked his 14th in World Cup history, placing him among the tournament's elite scorers and enhancing his chances for the Golden Boot.

Bradley Barcola also made headlines by becoming the youngest French player to score on his World Cup debut since Thierry Henry. Although Senegal managed to score late in the game, Mbappe ensured France secured all three points.

Haaland, in Norway's first World Cup appearance since 1998, made an immediate impact against Iraq, scoring two goals. His first was a close-range finish, followed by a second due to a goalkeeper error. Despite coming close to a hat-trick, he was ultimately denied. His brace brought his international tally to 57 goals in just 51 matches.

Norway capitalized on missed opportunities from Iraq, with substitute Leo Ostigard scoring a third goal, followed by an own goal from Aymen Hussein, sealing a convincing 4-1 victory.

With Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland all starting their World Cup campaigns with explosive performances, the competition for the Golden Boot is already heating up. However, it was Messi who once again proved why he is considered the benchmark in football.

June 16, 2026, marked a historic day for the FIFA World Cup, with an official attendance of 281,223 fans, making it the highest attended day in the tournament's history.