FIFA World Cup live updates: Messi leads Argentina against Algeria; France vs. Senegal; latest analysis and news
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, opens the FIFA World Cup against Algeria in a 9 p.m. ET match, while France faces Senegal at 3 p.m. ET and Iraq plays Norway at 6 p.m. ET. Sadio Mané, nearing retirement, aims to lead Senegal to its best-ever World Cup finish, while Kylian Mbappé seeks France’s third title in his third tournament appearance.
The FIFA World Cup kicked off with Argentina taking on Algeria in their opening match, featuring Lionel Messi leading the South American team. The match is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET, alongside France vs. Senegal at 3 p.m. ET and Iraq vs. Norway at 6 p.m. ET, all broadcast on Telemundo and Peacock. Sadio Mané, Senegal’s all-time top scorer with 53 goals in 126 appearances, could guide the Teranga Lions to their best-ever World Cup performance before retiring from international football. The 34-year-old winger, a former Liverpool star and current Al-Nassr teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo, missed the 2022 tournament due to injury but has since led Senegal to Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2021 and 2025. France’s Kylian Mbappé, already a World Cup winner at 19 in 2018, returns for his third tournament aiming to secure a third title for his country. The 27-year-old forward, known for his speed and technical skill, scored twice in the 2022 final before France lost on penalties. Yesterday’s matches saw a scoreless draw between Spain and Cape Verde, while Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, as well as Belgium and Egypt, also ended in deadlocks. Senegal’s World Cup history includes a 2002 quarterfinal run, while France remains the defending champion after their 2018 victory. Fans worldwide have celebrated the tournament’s early moments, including Japanese supporters praised for cleaning up stadiums and locker rooms post-match. The World Cup continues with high stakes for Senegal, Argentina, and France as they push toward deeper runs.
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