The first matchday of World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is now underway, and Serie A has wasted no time making its mark. A total of 28 national teams have called up at least one player from Italy's top flight, while 17 Serie A clubs are represented at the tournament. After the opening round of matches, players from our league have already made their presence felt with goals, assists and decisive saves.

The World Cup began with Mexico's victory over South Africa. Johan Vásquez played the full 90 minutes at the heart of the hosts' defence, helping his side secure an important opening win in front of their home fans.

Among the other host nations, the United States impressed in a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, inspired in part by Serie A players. Christian Pulisic provided the assist for the second goal, while Weston McKennie controlled the tempo in midfield. The move that led to the opening own goal also came from a combination between the two Serie A players.

Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Jonathan David and Ismaël Koné were unable to find the net, while Bosnia's defence, led by Muharemović and Sead Kolašinac, held firm until the 78th minute. The Atalanta defender was among the standout performers, providing the assist for Bosnia and Herzegovina's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal and producing a decisive goal-line clearance.

Australia also made a winning start, with Alessandro Circati named in the starting XI for the 2-0 victory over Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız's Türkiye. There were goals and entertainment in the 2-2 draw between Denzel Dumfries' Netherlands and Zion Suzuki's Japan, with the Parma goalkeeper making five important saves to keep his side in the game.

Sweden recorded an emphatic 5-1 victory over Tunisia, with Jesper Karlström featuring for the Scandinavians. Belgium, meanwhile, endured a more difficult start against Egypt. Charles De Ketelaere started the match as centre-forward, supported by Kevin De Bruyne, before the introduction of Romelu Lukaku changed the course of the game, with the Napoli striker forcing an own goal to rescue a point.

France also kicked off their campaign with a win, defeating Senegal 3-1. Adrien Rabiot provided one of the finest assists of the opening round, threading a perfectly weighted through ball to Bradley Barcola for one of the goals that put the match beyond doubt.

The first goal scored by a Serie A player at this FIFA World Cup came from Leo Skiri Østigård. The Genoa defender once again demonstrated his aerial prowess by heading home his side's third goal in Norway's 4-1 victory over Iraq, confirming the qualities he displayed throughout the Serie A season. Also for Norway,  Torbjørn Heggem impressed in central defence, and Kristian Thorstvedt forced the own goal that sealed the result.

Later that night, Lionel Messi stole the show against Algeria. Argentina's captain marked his tournament entrance with a historic hat-trick. Nico Paz came on in the second half to replace the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, while Lautaro Martínez played 54 minutes before making way for Julián Álvarez.

Croatia, meanwhile, were beaten 4-2 by an impressive England side. Four Serie A players started for Croatia: Luka Modrić and Petar Sučić in midfield, with Martin Baturina and Mario Pašalić operating further forward. It was the Como midfielder who caught the eye, producing a moment of real quality to score Croatia's second goal and make it 2-2. It was another demonstration of his clinical finishing: one shot on target, one goal. It’s a trademark he had already displayed throughout the Serie A season.