Kylian Mbappe closes on World Cup’s all-time scoring record while Lionel Messi makes history in his sixth tournament appearance.
Lead:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered its group stage with several headline-making performances from global football's elite. European powerhouses and Arab nations alike have begun their campaigns, with standout individual achievements and surprising results defining the opening round. Multiple records are being shattered as legendary players compete alongside emerging talents in what promises to be a historic tournament.
Arab teams have delivered mixed results in their inaugural matches, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt securing valuable draws while Iraq suffered a heavy defeat. The participation of first-time World Cup nations and record-breaking individual milestones underscore the significance of this expanded 32-team competition.
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Kylian Mbappe, France — The striker scored twice against Senegal, bringing his World Cup goal tally to 14 and positioning him second all-time, level with Thomas Mueller and just two goals behind Gerd Mueller's record. His performances continue to underscore his status as one of football's most prolific tournament scorers.Lionel Messi, Argentina — The Argentine legend became the first player in World Cup history to participate in six tournament editions. At 38 years and 357 days, he scored a hat-trick against Algeria, demonstrating that age has not diminished his finishing prowess or competitive drive.Iraq, Norway — The Iraqi national team opened its World Cup campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Norway, with striker Erling Haaland scoring twice to lead his nation to victory. Despite the loss, Iraq's first World Cup appearance represents a historic milestone for the nation's football development.Egypt, Belgium — Egypt drew 1-1 with Belgium in a competitive first-round encounter, securing an important point against a top-ranked opponent. Captain Mohamed Salah emphasized the positive result to supporters following the match.Saudi Arabia, Uruguay — Saudi Arabia opened with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay, earning a crucial opening-round point. FIFA made a rare protocol exception by raising the Saudi flag before the match began.Spain, Cape Verde — Spain settled for a goalless draw against Cape Verde in their opener, with the African nation delivering an impressive defensive performance. Cape Verde's goalkeeper produced several outstanding saves in his team's historic World Cup debut.What to Watch:
Argentina's next fixture and Egypt's subsequent group-stage matches will determine the trajectory of both teams' campaigns. Tunisia's appointment of Hervé Renard as new manager following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi signals organizational changes affecting North African performances in the tournament.