Let's be honest, many fans only care about a select few players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Tuesday's slate of games includes squads from Groups I and J, which featured several of those stars. It's safe to say they didn't disappoint.

Below, we take a closer look at that and more in our takeaways from the games.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi isn't running on fumes

Messi, who turns 39 on June 24, may be playing in his last World Cup. If his record sixth dance at the tournament is his last, he's giving it a chance to be the best one.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner as the best soccer player in the world, earned his first hat trick at the World Cup in a 3-0 Group J win over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. He's now tied with former German star Miroslav Klose for the most goals (16) in World Cup history. The accomplishment drew praise from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other sports stars on social media.

Entering the tournament, several questions surrounded Messi's health. Many wondered if a left hamstring injury he battled throughout his club season with MLS outfit Inter Miami would hamper him.

It doesn't appear to be doing so. That's good news for Argentina, which is aiming to repeat as World Cup champions. Messi being the driving force in these efforts would be the potential swansong for his career. Tuesday's performance could be the beginning of that.

Mbappe, 27, remains a polarizing figure, but Tuesday's performance reminded fans he's one of the best players in the tournament, perhaps even the best.

Outside of Kylian Mbappe's heroics, France's World Cup opener was underwhelming

Mbappe's virtuoso performance overshadowed France's sloppy first half. Per ESPN, Les Bleus' expected goal rate after the first half was abysmal at 0.02. Fox analyst/former American star Landon Donovan chided the side for its lack of effort in the first half.

"France, arrogant, a little casual, just sort of going through motions," Donovan said before halftime during the broadcast (h/t Awful Announcing Brendon Kleen).

Perhaps France thought it was just a much better team. FIFA ranks the squad No. 2 in the world. However, it can't keep underestimating its competition for the rest of the tournament.

If it does, it could have another lackadaisical start. And if Mbappe doesn't save the team, that could spell trouble.

Let's treat Norway more seriously

Norway hasn't played in the World Cup since 1998. The side made it worth the long wait for Scandinavian fans on Tuesday.

Led by striker Erling Haaland, who scored two goals, Norway dismantled Iraq 4-1 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Sure, beating a team ranked No. 60 by FIFA will impress few. That said, Tuesday shows when Norway plays at its best, it's one of the toughest outs in the tournament, making it a dark horse.

Plus, Haaland stars for the country. While he may not be as high-profile as Messi or Mbappe, he's clearly of a similar skill level. Players on or close to that tier can take a team a long way in the World Cup.