Heavyweights Argentina and France start World Cup quests

AI Summary

Argentina and France, the finalists from the previous World Cup, begin their 2026 World Cup campaigns with notable players Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe leading their teams. Messi, despite a recent hamstring injury, is expected to play in his sixth World Cup.

Lionel Messi's Argentina and Kylian Mbappe's France, the two teams who contested a thrilling World Cup final four years ago, roar into the 2026 tournament on Tuesday.Messi is set to play in a sixth World Cup and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the 38-year-old linchpin of his team "looks good" despite suffering a hamstring injury playing for club side Inter Miami in late May.