World Cup 2026 opener delivers Messi hat-trick and early shocks

The 2026 FIFA World Cup completed its first round of group-stage matches this week across the North American host venues, with a string of surprises and early individual milestones shaping the opening narrative. Officials said the tournament began on June 11, and the first set of fixtures has already tested several pre-tournament favourites.

Lionel Messi scored the first World Cup hat-trick of his career in Argentina’s opener, a performance that also brought him level with the all-time record for most World Cup goals. The three-goal haul left Messi as the outright leader in the early Golden Boot race, with several other forwards close behind on two goals.

Spain, described as among the frontrunners, were held to a shock goalless draw by Cape Verde despite the gap between the teams in the FIFA rankings. Portugal also dropped points, drawing 1-1 with DR Congo in a result that underlined how quickly underdog sides have settled into the tournament.

Records, milestones and an early Golden Boot picture

France’s Kylian Mbappe became his country’s all-time leading scorer in the opening week, a landmark that reinforced his status as one of the competition’s central figures. Officials said Mbappe is also chasing the tournament’s long-term scoring benchmarks, adding another strand to the early storylines.

Across the opening matches, the goal race has taken shape quickly. Messi leads with three, while a group that includes England’s Harry Kane, Norway’s Erling Haaland and Mbappe sits just behind on two goals each, keeping the scoring chart tight heading into the next set of fixtures.

Underdogs make their mark as the tournament moves on

Beyond the headline results, DR Congo’s draw with Portugal was framed as a warning that lower-ranked teams are capable of punishing slow starts. Officials said DR Congo also registered a notable first in World Cup history through a first-ever tournament goal, a moment that resonated with supporters at home and in the stands.

The opening round also produced lighter cultural signals from the pitch. Several players were seen wearing bright, monochromatic pink boots regardless of manufacturer, suggesting a tournament-wide kit trend that has cut across teams and sponsorship lines.

Attention now turns to the second phase of group matches and whether the early favourites can stabilise their campaigns against opponents that have already shown resilience and tactical discipline.