FIFA World Cup: Messi, Ronaldo in action as Argentina, Portugal kick off campaigns

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi (ANI Photo)

The expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 is gathering pace across the three host nations — the United States, Mexico and Canada — with the tournament already delivering plenty of drama in its opening days.

Twelve matches have been completed so far, with half of the record 12 groups having played their opening fixtures.The first six groups, from A to F, have completed their opening round of matches, while teams in Groups G to L are set to begin their campaigns this week. A packed schedule awaits fans, with 25 more group-stage matches lined up across venues in the three host countries over the coming days.After watching traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, Germany and the three co-hosts get their World Cup journeys underway, attention now shifts to some of the biggest stars in modern football.Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will begin their title defence against Algeria on Wednesday. Later the same day, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will open their campaign against Congo as the veteran forward looks to add another chapter to his illustrious international career.Several former champions are also preparing for their opening assignments. Uruguay, two-time world champions, will face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, while Spain begin their campaign against Cabo Verde on Monday.

France start against Senegal on Wednesday, and England will kick off their quest for glory with a heavyweight clash against Croatia on Thursday.With more football giants and global superstars entering the fray, the second week of the World Cup promises even more excitement as the race for the knockout stages gathers momentum.

FIFA World Cup Schedule of the week (15-21 June 2026)

DateGroupTeamsVenueTime (IST)15 JuneGroup FNetherlands vs JapanDallas0:30 AMGroup EIvory Coast vs EcuadorPhiladelphia3:30 AMGroup FSweden vs TunisiaMonterrey7:30 AMGroup HSpain vs Cabo VerdeAtlanta9:30 PM16 JuneGroup GBelgium vs EgyptSeattle0:30 AMGroup HSaudi Arabia vs UruguayMiami3:30 AMGroup GIran vs New ZealandLos Angeles6:30 AM17 JuneGroup IFrance vs SenegalNew Jersey0:30 AMGroup IIraq vs NorwayBoston3:30 AMGroup JArgentina vs AlgeriaKansas City6:30 AMGroup JAustria vs JordanSan Francisco9:30 AMGroup KPortugal vs Congo DRHouston10:30 PM18 JuneGroup LEngland vs CroatiaDallas1:30 AMGroup LGhana vs PanamaToronto4:30 AMGroup KUzbekistan vs ColombiaMexico City7:30 AMGroup ACzechia vs South AfricaAtlanta9:30 PM19 JuneGroup BSwitzerland vs BosniaLos Angeles0:30 AMGroup BCanada vs QatarVancouver3:30 AMGroup AMexico vs South KoreaGuadalajara6:30 AM20 JuneGroup DUSA vs AustraliaSeattle0:30 AMGroup CScotland vs MoroccoBoston3:30 AMGroup CBrazil vs HaitiPhiladelphia6:00 AMGroup DTurkiye vs ParaguaySan Francisco8:30 AMGroup FNetherlands vs SwedenHouston10:30 PM21 JuneGroup EGermany vs Ivory CoastToronto1:30 AMGroup EEcuador vs CuracaoKansas City5:30 AMGroup FTunisia vs JapanMonterrey9:30 AMGroup HSpain vs Saudi ArabiaAtlanta9:30 PM