Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Kylian Mbappe’s France, the two teams that had an exciting World Cup final four years ago, start their 2026 tournament on Tuesday.
Argentina, who won that intense match in Doha by penalties after a 3-3 tie in extra time, will face Algeria in Kansas City.
Messi is about to play in his sixth World Cup. Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni said the 38-year-old star “looks good” even after a hamstring injury he got while playing for Inter Miami in late May.
“Everyone wants to see him out on the pitch, not just Argentines, because of the impact he has on people,” Scaloni said during his pre-match press conference.
“He has always been crucial for us and now he will be even more so. He looks good.”
Messi showed he is fit by coming on as a substitute and scoring in a warm-up match against Iceland last week.
“He’s a competitive animal,” said centre-back Nicolas Otamendi. “He forces you to keep trying, he doesn’t let you relax.”
France's Opening Match
France and their strong attack with Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, and fast winger Michael Olise will start against Senegal in New Jersey.
The French team wants to avoid a repeat of their opening match defeat against Senegal in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea. That loss saw the reigning champions exit in the group stage.
“The first match is very important but it’s not decisive. Starting with a win in a four-team group is ideal and always the objective,” France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday.
“But the one thing we can’t measure or quantify is the emotional aspect. Some players might tense up with the atmosphere around the match,” Deschamps warned.
France has reached the final in four of the last seven World Cups, winning two and losing two on penalties.
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