Following a dramatic day five, the sixth day of FIFA World Cup 2026™ saw competition favourites and 2022 World Cup finalists France and Argentina both open their accounts, as well as wins for returning European nations Norway and Austria after 28 years away from the global finals.
A trio of global superstars also stood up for their nations, but it was Argentina’s captain and talisman Lionel Messi who stole the headlines by joining Miroslav Klose as the top goalscorer in World Cup history.
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
Kylian Mbappe became France’s all-time top goalscorer with two goals in France’s opening World Cup win over Senegal, overtaking Olivier Giroud with 58 for his national team. Senegal had famously defeated France in the group stage of FIFA World Cup 2002, and created the better opportunities through the first half, Nicolas Jackson striking the left post.
The 2018 champions upped the ante after the break though, Kylian Mbappe getting the decisive breakthrough in the 66th minute. He made sure of the three points with a second goal in stoppage-time, whilst Bradley Barcola also got on the scoresheet. Senegal mustered a late consolation through Ibrahim Mbaye.
Iraq 1-4 Norway
Erling Haaland scored his first two goals at the FIFA World Cup as Norway made a winning start on their return to the tournament for the first time in 28 years. Both of his strikes came in the first half, either side of Iraq’s first World Cup goal since 1986 – a header from Aymen Hussein.
Iraq remained right in the contest, but couldn’t get back on equal terms, and goals from Leo Østigård and an own goal from Hussein secured a comfortable win for Norway to send them joint-top of Group I with France after the first matchday.
Group J
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Earning his 200th international cap and playing in a record sixth FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi reminded the world of his class at 38 years of age, scoring his first World Cup hat-trick in a convincing opening win for the defending champions in Group J. Algeria had no answer for the Argentine maestro upon their return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years.
Having led Argentina to the World Cup crown four years earlier with two goals in the final, Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a long-range shot that goalkeeper Luca Zidane couldn’t keep out. He added two more after the break to complete his hat-trick, the second off a rebound from the keeper, and the third again from long range on his left foot.
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Another returning to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998, Austria joined Argentina at the top of Group J with a hard-fought win over World Cup debutants Jordan. The Austrians controlled over 60% of the possession throughout but were continually caught on the counter by a Jordan side who managed four times as many shots on target.
Ali Owan made history with Jordan’s first World Cup goal in the 50th minute, but it came in vain as an early goal from Romano Schmid, and a superb second half cameo from all-time appearance holder and goalscorer Marko Arnautovic secured Austria’s 13th win at a FIFA World Cup.
Results
Group I
France 3 (Kylian Mbappe 66′, 90+6′, Bradley Barcola 82′) Senegal 1 (Ibrahim Mbaye 90+5′)
(New York New Jersey Stadium, New York)
Iraq 1 (Aymen Hussein 39′) Norway 4 (Erling Haaland 29′, 43′, Leo Østigård 76′, Own Goal 90+6′)
(Boston Stadium, Boston)
Group J
Argentina 3 (Lionel Messi 17′, 60′, 76′) Algeria 0
(Kansas City Stadium, Kansas)
Austria 3 (Romano Schmid 21′, Own Goal 76′, Marko Arnautovic Pen. 90+12′ ) Jordan 1 (Ali Olwan 50′)
(San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco)
Coming Up
Thursday 18 June
Group K: Portugal v DR Congo (5AM NZT), Uzbekistan v Colombia (2PM NZT)
Group L: England v Croatia (8AM NZT), Ghana v Panama (11AM NZT)