Lionel Messi and Argentina are back to defend their crown and showed it in style, as Messi tied the World Cup's all-time goals record with a hat trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria in both nations' 2026 World Cup openers in the Heartland of America on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi leads Argentina to a 3-0 win over Algeria with a historic hat-trick.

Defending World Cup champions Argentina take on Algeria in their first match of the 2026 World Cup. Here's where that game is happening.

Kansas City's first World Cup match was one for the history books.

Algeria’s federation has formally challenged FIFA over key decisions in Argentina’s World Cup opener, reigniting debate around Lionel Messi’s performance and the role of VAR.

Soccer fans lined the barricades outside of Kansas City Stadium with bottles and cans ahead of Argentina and Algeria’s World Cup clash on June 16. Footage filmed by Sarah Leick shows line upon line of drinks containers,

The Algerian football association has lodged a protest with FIFA over the refereeing of Szymon Marciniak in their 3-0 World Cup defeat to Argentina, a spokesman said on Friday. A harsh challenge by later hat-trick scorer Lionel Messi went unpunished when the score was 1-0 in Tuesday's group match and some refereeing experts said it could have been a red card.

Algeria fans gathered at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas, for a glimpse of their team during its final training session before facing Argentina.