Messi, Mbappé and Haaland launch 2026 World Cup campaigns on Tuesday as Argentina begin title defence

Tuesday's matchday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup brings the tournament's three biggest names onto the pitch for the first time. Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland will each start their group-stage journeys, spread across four matches that run from European evening through to the early hours of Wednesday.

France face Senegal in Group I

France begin their campaign at 21:00 CEST against Senegal, a rematch of the 2002 World Cup opener that produced a famous African upset. The French arrive as champions of Russia 2018 and finalists of Qatar 2022, carrying a squad stacked with elite talent. Senegal want to repeat the shock of 2002, when they beat a France side that had just lifted the trophy. The Group I encounter sets the tone for a night where pre-tournament favourites are under pressure to deliver from the first whistle.

Norway return after 28 years

At midnight CEST, Norway face Iraq in the same group. The Norwegians are back at a World Cup for the first time since reaching the round of 16 in 1998, powered by Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Sørloth. Iraq make their tournament debut and are widely seen as one of the group's outsiders. Norway are expected to secure a straightforward win, but any stumble would complicate their path behind France.

Argentina begin title defence against Algeria

At 03:00 CEST (22:00 in Argentina) the champions take the field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Lionel Scaloni's side, top of the FIFA ranking, start their Group J programme against an Algeria team ranked 28th. The Albiceleste are trying to become the first nation since Brazil of the Pelé era to win back-to-back World Cups. Key attacking options Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez complement Messi, who holds the record for most World Cup appearances and could be playing his last edition. Midfield will be orchestrated by Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister.

Algeria, captained by Riyad Mahrez, have called up French-born players including Luca Zidane, Amine Gouiri and Houssem Aouar. The African side know their best chance of progressing lies in beating Austria and Jordan, but a result against Argentina would transform the group dynamic. Argentina themselves are mindful of their shock 2022 loss to Saudi Arabia and view a clean start as non-negotiable.

Argentina1

Austria24

Algeria28

Jordan63

Argentina

1 rank

Austria

24 rank

Algeria

28 rank

Jordan

63 rank

Data from the article text

Austria and Jordan close the night

The final match of the day sees Austria return to the World Cup after 28 years when they face Jordan at 06:00 CEST. Both teams share Group J with Argentina and Algeria and will be watching the earlier result closely. Austria, ranked 24th, will expect to set themselves up for a qualification push against the 63rd-ranked Jordanians.