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World Cup 2026: Key takeaways from the opening group stage matches
Key takeaways
- From viral fan moments to on-field controversies, as well as the biggest stars, best performances, upsets and more.
- What more could you ask from the opening week of a FIFA World Cup?
- After the first round of group matches, here are our top 10 takeaways:
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
From viral fan moments to on-field controversies, as well as the biggest stars, best performances, upsets and more.
xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogle Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Lionel Messi's hat-trick was among the most memorable events to occur in the opening week of World Cup 2026 [Claudia Greco/Reuters]By Manasi Pathak Published On 18 Jun 202618 Jun 2026A first-ever hat-trick for Lionel Messi, heavyweights Spain stunned by tiny Cape Verde, and DR Congo silencing Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal.
What more could you ask from the opening week of a FIFA World Cup?
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