25 resultsfor “Messi goals in 2026 World Cup opener”
goal scorer:** Lionel Messi (13) **Most appearances:** Lionel Messi (26) **Player to watch:** Lionel Messi **FIFA world ranking:** 3 Defending champions Argentina are bidding to become the first side since Brazil
2026 opener Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France launched their bid for a third World Cup crown with a [3-1 victory](/sports/liveblog/2026/6/16/france-vs-senegal-live-world-cup-2026-group-i) over Senegal in Group I. Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career
2026 World Cup game against Algeria in Kansas City, Mo. Messi would add a third as Argentina began defense of its 2022 title. **Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images** Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
opening phase of the World Cup, with France, Senegal and Iraq awaiting. Overcoming those challenges will not be straightforward. Then the Norwegians – who plundered 37 goals in eight consecutive wins – can consider breaching the last
opening Group J fixture at Kansas City on Tuesday night. ## Can ageing Argentina win back-to-back World Cup titles? Lionel Scaloni’s side are seeking to become just the third nation ever to defend
Messi scored seven goals for Argentina as they lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time in 36 years at the Qatar 2022 tournament. The captain scored his team’s first goal in regulation
2026. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AFP__20260525__B3X62PR__v2__HighRes__FblMlsInterMiamiPhiladelphia-1779698754.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C481&quality=80) Messi leaves the pitch during the Miami-Philadelphia MLS match [Chandan Khanna/AFP] ## Did Messi get injured before the World Cup? While the Miami striker
opening game of the World Cup. The 27-year-old became France’s record scorer on Tuesday, overtaking Olivier Giroud with 58 goals. In a full-circle moment, Giroud, a commentator at Tuesday’s match
Messi’s [splendid hat-trick](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/16/argentina-algeria-world-cup-group-j-match-report) secures thumping victory over Algeria and ties him with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer. **The best
opener on Tuesday, relying on a second-half own goal and a last-gasp penalty from Marko Arnautovic to claim the three points. Austria took the lead on 20 minutes through a Romano Schmid thunderbolt
Messi against Cristiano Ronaldo. Is this the hardest World Cup there has ever been to win? Maybe. It feels very open. My head is telling me the best team is France, my heart is telling
2026 World Cup is around the corner and I have to play minutes, I wasn't playing minutes. "It has always been a dream of mine to play in England." He has been called "Houdini
Messi" hero of suburban New Jersey youth soccer is having a big summer: He's on the U.S. World Cup roster and got married barely two weeks ago (dipping out of training camp
opening match after captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the squad with a foot injury before announcing his retirement from international football. The 33-year-old Liverpool midfielder said he had “no regrets” over the decision
Messi scored the first two goals of his international career that day. History also favours the South Americans. Argentina have won each of their last six World Cup matches against African opponents, rebounding from their
open disciplinary proceedings against both players. It is not yet clear if Frenchman Tchouameni will be available for Sunday’s match as a result. ## How can Barcelona win La Liga in Sunday’s El Clasico
opening match will be played in Mexico City on 11 June. And the final is in the US state of New Jersey on 19 July. For anyone new to the beautiful game, here's what
2026 World Cup roster in New York, last month.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5045x5045+1078+0/resize/100/quality/85/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F78%2Ffa%2Fd3769dbf466d9b9657112110136a%2Fwob-2336.jpg)](https://www.npr.org/2026/06/12/nx-s1-5855763/2026-world-cup-usmnt-players-roster) ### [Soccer Edition](https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-98388/soccer-edition) ### [Your cheat sheet to the 26 players on the U.S. World Cup team](https://www.npr.org/2026/06/12/nx-s1-5855763/2026-world-cup-usmnt-players-roster) From
2026.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f2a7b90b48a0c77be4425fd212bfbfaa639a940c/637_0_6880_5504/master/6880.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none) Donald Trump is losing face at home while he continues to attempt a peace deal in the Middle East. Photograph: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images As the week draws to a close, Donald
Messi, with the 38-year-old football legend set for what could be his [final World Cup](/fifa-world-cup-2026/). With 12 goals and seven assists in the Italian Serie A this season, the creative