Three Standout Moments From the First World Cup Matches

The opening round of matches for the 2026 World Cup has not disappointed.

We saw some incredible matches that featured stunning upsets, incredible goals, and so much more. The level of play has erased the dampening effect of the tournament’s many scandals, reminding fans across the globe why soccer truly is the beautiful game.

Below, we’ll share the three moments that stood out for us after watching the World Cup’s opening matches.

Messi is Back in a Big Way

Rumors of Messi’s aging have been greatly exaggerated.

The living legend helped lead Argentina to a World Cup title in 2022, and he’s picking up right where he left off in 2026. The forward delivered a hat trick in a 3-0 win against Algeria, missing only one of the four shots he put on goal.

Algeria isn’t a world power, but they were a top-30 team in FIFA’s World Rankings heading into the tournament. While the squad managed to control the ball for 52% of the match, it only resulted in one shot on goal. 

There is plenty of reason to wonder if Argentina can keep this level of play up, but Messi’s impressive start has certainly grabbed our attention.

Germany Came to Play

Of all the betting favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, Germany stood out above the rest in its opening match. They destroyed Curaçao by a score of 7-1, scoring their first goal in the sixth minute of the match. While they allowed the Caribbean team to tie the match in the 21st minute briefly, the lead lasted only 17 minutes before Germany pulled ahead.

Germany was a heavy favorite to win the match, so the result was far from surprising. However, the victory stands out when compared to the results of other world powers. That includes Spain, which finished with a 0-0 draw against the Cabo Verde squad it was heavily favored to beat.

One match doesn’t determine a team’s World Cup fate, but Germany’s win certainly gives us reason to believe they’ll win this year’s tournament. 

Iran’s Trip May Be Short

The most disappointing takeaway from the first round of matches is Iran's play. The top-25 squad ended up with a 2-2 draw against a New Zealand team ranked outside the top 80, dampening hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds.

It’s not the result we’re disappointed in; it's Iran’s form. The team didn’t even know if they’d be playing until a few weeks ago. The conflict with the US meant the team couldn’t train and prepare, as was evident when they struggled against New Zealand. Players are also dealing with uncertainty about traveling to the US and what will await them once they return home to Iran.

This is an excellent Iranian team, and it’s a shame that we won’t get to see them have a fair shot during the 2026 World Cup. While they could bounce back as group play advances, their opponents will be far more difficult than the squad they faced on Monday.