By Laura Mendes, Senior Sports Reporter • Jun 24, 2026

*This story was written on June 17 and only reflects moments up until then*

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is one week in, and each country has already completed its first group stage match. With that, there have been lots of moments both on and off the field that are generating talk online. Here are three of the most talked about moments so far. 

Hydration breaks

With this being the largest World Cup at 48 teams, there have been more changes than just the number of countries. Another modification that has gained attention online is the new hydration breaks, which are mandatory halfway through each half. These are even required for the games played in temperature-controlled domes inside. 

While these breaks sound good in theory, the media or the players haven’t welcomed them. Netherlands player, Virgil van Dijk, is one of the players who have voiced negative feedback on these hydration breaks. 

“Hydration breaks are a bit interesting, because I was obviously watching almost all the games up until today, and every time going to commercial is a bit … Not really that I like it,” Van Dijk said in an ESPN article.

However, others in the competition actually see the good in these three-minute breaks. Brazilian head coach Carlo Ancelotti is one person who thinks they can be productive. 

“You can explain a problem to the players and make a tactical adjustment that can be very good,” Ancelotti said, as reported by ESPN.

As a coach, his point of view makes sense, since he can speak to his players and have them listen to changes he might want. Even Brazilian player Neymar, who did not play due to an injury, was seen talking to his fellow teammate Vinícius Júnior on the field during the hydration break, and Vinícius went on to score shortly after. 

However, not all coaches have the same outlook as Ancelotti. Columbia head coach Néstor Lorenzo, claimed that the reason for these hydration breaks might differ from what he originally assumed. 

“I am noticing that, initially, when hydration breaks were called, they would show the manager speaking with the players; now, they are all commercial breaks, meaning there is a different purpose behind them,” Lorenzo said in an ESPN article. “I would like to question whether that was the initial intent, or if it was truly about player welfare and nothing else. That is a question we all need to ask ourselves.”

Messi, Kane, Mbappé exceed expectations; Ronaldo falls short

While every World Cup has its breakout stars, there are also veteran players people can count on to put on outstanding performances. Some of the greats are Argentina’s Lionel Messi, England’s Harry Kane, France’s Kylian Mbappé and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

In each of their country’s first games, all but one met the expectations. Messi scored three goals for Argentina against Algeria. His third goal was an amazing hat-trick that tied him for first place in goals scored during World Cup matches. In what is his sixth and most likely last World Cup, Messi reminded everyone why he is one of the greats.

Kane is another player who helped his country earn a win. Against Croatia, Kane recorded two of England’s four goals in their first match. With those two goals, Kane also tied the English record for the most goals in a World Cup. With two more matches to go in the group stage, Kane will likely surpass this and have the first place spot all to himself. 

Similarly, Mbappé also set a record this week, following his two goals in France’s match against Senegal. Mbappé is now France’s leading scorer with 58 goals in his time representing his country. The French player stepped up in the second half of the game. After a scoreless first half on both sides, Mbappé came back stronger out of halftime and helped lead France to a 3-1 victory over Senegal. 

However, one of these icons did not contribute as much as the others. Ronaldo didn’t score any goals in Portugal’s match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Ronaldo failed to give a superb performance in any way, shape or form. However, Ronaldo’s execution from his 2026 World Cup opener might be turning into a trend. Ronaldo has now gone 10 straight major tournament matches without scoring for Portugal. A penalty shot was his only goal in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. On top of that, his last open goal shot goes all the way back to 2021. 

Cape Verde’s goalkeeper

Another major moment in the World Cup was the 0-0 draw between Spain and Cape Verde. The man to thank for this was 40-year-old Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who kept Spain from scoring a single goal.

With such an impressive feat, Vozinha rose to stardom. Before the match, he had 50,000 followers on Instagram. Less than 24 hours later, he jumped to 10 million followers. As part of his rise in popularity, fans found that his mom was unable to make her son’s first game. However, she later obtained her visa in time to be at his second World Cup match.

“They always support me in everything I do, so having my mother here is something special,” Vozinha said in an AP article. “My father is here too, and my brother as well, so I’m very happy.”

Now, Vozinha will play Cape Verde’s next match against Uruguay on the 21st with his mother, father and brother in attendance.

@lauram0131

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