Dramatic 1st week of FIFA 2026: Messi-Mbappe's Glimpses, Underdogs' Surprises

Within just one week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the football world has seen countless dramatic moments, record-breaking performances and several unexpected results. Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo and a few underdog teams have been at the center of discussion since the start of this tournament held on North American soil, making the World Cup more attractive by showing glimpses of their capabilities.

Before the start of the World Cup, many thought that Lionel Messi might not be able to show the magic like before due to his age. But the Argentina captain dispelled all speculations in the first match. With a brilliant hat-trick against Algeria, he not only gave the team a big victory, but also completed the first World Cup hat-trick of his career. At the same time, he also equaled the record for the top position in the list of highest scorers in World Cup history.

The 39-year-old Messi's performance has once again raised the old question in the minds of football fans - is he still one of the most influential footballers in the world? The first week's performance suggests that the answer is undoubtedly 'yes'.

On the other hand, Messi's long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo has had a disappointing start. The Portugal captain did not appear in the expected rhythm against the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first match of the World Cup. Portugal left the field with a 1-1 draw in the match, and criticism began about Ronaldo's lackluster performance.

Many analysts are asking whether the 41-year-old star has lost his previous edge in the last chapter of his career? Although it may be premature to reach such a conclusion for a footballer like Ronaldo, his performance in the first match did not meet expectations.

Meanwhile, France's Kylian Mbappe has once again proven why he is called one of the best footballers of the current generation. With his goal against Senegal, he became the highest scorer in France's history. Mbappe, who achieved such a feat for the national team at the age of just 27, is now just two goals away from touching the record of the highest scorer in World Cup history.

The race for the Golden Boot has also been intense since the beginning. Messi is at the top of the list with three goals. Behind him are several stars with two goals each. This list includes England's Harry Kane, Norway's Erling Haaland and France's Kylian Mbappe. As a result, the competition for the top scorer is expected to become more exciting as the tournament progresses.

However, Cape Verde has brought the biggest surprise of the first week. The small island nation on the west coast of Africa has shocked the world by holding Spain, one of the contenders to win the World Cup, to a goalless draw. Although the country with a population of only half a million is 65 places behind Spain in the international rankings, there has been no reflection of that gap on the field.

Although Spain dominated possession and attack throughout the match, Cape Verde's organized defense and excellent goalkeeper performance frustrated them. The celebration of Cape Verde's footballers at the end of the match was no less than the joy of winning a title.

Congo is also on the list of surprises. They not only earned a point by drawing 1-1 against Portugal, but also added a new chapter in the country's football history. Yone Wisa scored the first goal in Congo's history at the World Cup, writing his name in the country's sports history. After that goal, a flood of joy spread from Kinshasa to the remotest parts of the country. At the same time, Congo showed that it is possible to compete against famous and expensive teams in the World Cup.

Curaçao, who participated in the World Cup for the first time, also caught the eye. Despite losing to Germany by a large margin of 7-1, there was no shortage of excitement from their fans. Participation in the World Cup was a historic achievement for the small Caribbean country. And the goal scored by Livano Comenencia against Germany has become their first and most memorable moment in World Cup history.

The stories off the field are no less interesting. The trend of using pink boots among footballers in this year's World Cup has attracted widespread attention. From the world's top stars to relatively unknown players, many are taking to the field wearing bright pink boots. There is also a lot of discussion on social media about the issue.

The World Cup means a festival for fans, and this year is no exception. The green-yellow waves of Brazilian fans on the streets of New York, dancing to the rhythm of samba and waving flags reminded many of the carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Later, Moroccan fans also joined the festival. On the other hand, the loud presence of Scottish fans in various bars in Boston has sparked discussion.

However, the most popular character among fans has become a pet duck named 'Marlin', Mexico's unofficial goodwill ambassador. The duck, who has been roaming the World Cup venues wearing a miniature Mexico jersey and special socks, has already become a social media star. Numerous viewers are taking pictures with him and sharing videos.

The first week of the World Cup is already showing that the 2026 tournament is going to be memorable, exciting and full of uncertainty. The record-breaking performances of the stars, the courageous fight of the underdogs and the colorful presence of the fans have already captivated the football world. Football analysts believe that the heat of the World Cup will increase as the knockout stage draws closer.