Messi nets hat trick, Argentina defeats Algeria 3-0 in FIFA World Cup 2026

UPDATE, 10:15 p.m. | Fans are filing out of Kansas City Stadium happy after Messi's hat trick in a 3-0 World Cup win against Algeria.

UPDATE, 10:10 p.m. | As Kansas City hosts its first-ever World Cup match Tuesday between Algeria and Argentina, a mix of cultures collided over the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026. KSHB 41's Braden Bates reports in the video player below.

UPDATE, 10:05 p.m. | Fans heading to Kansas City Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, for the World Cup match between Argentina and Algeria relied on shuttle buses and, in some cases, their own two feet to make it. KSHB 41's Rachel Henderson has more in the video player below.

UPDATE, 9:40 p.m. | Messi magic continues! His third goal of the match pushes Argentina's lead to 3-0.

UPDATE, 9:30 p.m. | Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany Mahomes were in the building for tonight's World Cup match.

UPDATE, 9:25 p.m. | Messi tacks on another goal, extending Argentina's lead to 2-0.

UPDATE, 8:20 p.m. | Messi gets his first FIFA World Cup 2026 goal and makes it 1-0 Argentina against Algeria.

UPDATE, 8 p.m. | Argentina begins its World Cup title defense against Algeria as Kansas City hosts its first match of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

UPDATE, 7:50 p.m. | Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis is getting the Argentina fans fired up before kickoff at Kansas City Stadium.

UPDATE, 7:35 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas revealed on X that the city's iconic Western Auto sign will be lit up for tonight's match at Kansas City Stadium.

UPDATE, 7:15 p.m. | KC2026 addressed transportation delays in a social media post, stating organizers are aware of the issues.

"We are working with our transport partners to restore normal operations as quickly as possible, ensuring the safe passage of all attending fans," the post read.

UPDATE, 6:55 p.m. | KSHB 41's Tod Palmer went to downtown Independence, where a children's book about Lionel Messi's life has become the talk of the town.

UPDATE, 6:50 p.m. | KSHB 41's Fernanda Silva shares her public transportation experience on the way to the Argentina vs. Algeria match.

UPDATE, 6:10 p.m. | Dozens of fans started walking to the Argentina vs. Algeria game due to the long bus line at the Graceway Church park-and-ride location.

UPDATE, 6 p.m. | Team Argentina has left the Berkley Riverfront and is heading to Kansas City Stadium.

UPDATE, 5:50 p.m. | KSHB 41's Elyse Schoenig took video of ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct buses on the move from Oak Park Mall in Overland Park.

UPDATE, 5:40 p.m. | Argentina vs Algeria. World Cup 2026. Kansas City Stadium. Tonight.

UPDATE, 5:35 p.m. | Here's video of World Cup fans waiting for buses at Graceway Church that will be heading to Kansas City Stadium (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium).

UPDATE, 5:05 p.m. | Anticipation is continuing to grow for Tuesday night. A KC SCOUT camera at southbound Interstate 435 at Stadium Drive shows fans walking on the street towards Kansas City Stadium (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium) ahead of the World Cup match between Argentina and Algeria.

UPDATE, 4:50 p.m. | Both Algeria and Argentina fans are lined up to get on buses at Graceway Church set to make their way to Kansas City Stadium (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium).

UPDATE, 4:45 p.m. | Here are some flicks of Argentina fans getting on one of the buses headed to Kansas City Stadium (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium) for tonight's match against Algeria.

UPDATE, 4:35 p.m. | Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House Task Force on FIFA World Cup 2026, visited Fan Festival Tuesday ahead of the first game at Kansas City Stadium.

“I can’t wait tonight to see what Arrowhead looks like with all the Argentinians, the Algerians and, of course, those Chiefs fans which bring it to life,” said Giuliani, the son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

In his role on the task force, Giuliani said eliminating the threat of drones is a top priority. Kansas City received millions of dollars for drone training, tracking, and elimination programs.

“We realized this very early on in the task force and figured we needed mitigation ability and equipment to be able to do that,” Giuliani told KSHB 41 News political reporter Charlie Keegan.

Giuliani said what set Kansas City apart from other host cities he's visited is the World Cup-themed welcome at KCI Airport.

UPDATE, 4:25 p.m. | And they’re off! The first three buses taking World Cup fans from the Country Club Plaza to Kansas City Stadium just left.

UPDATE, 3 p.m. | KSHB 41 sports anchor McKenzie Nelson is among media representatives who are on the way to Kansas City Stadium via bus.

When she gets there, this will be the scene, as captured by the Algerian National Team.

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m. | FIFA Fan Festival Kansas City was set to open at 1 p.m., but KSHB 41's Fernanda Silva reports the event opened 10 minutes early.

She captured what the crowd to get in looked like about 30 minutes later, around 1:20 p.m.

Fan Fest is open until 10 p.m.

UPDATE, 12 p.m. | KSHB 41's Megan Abundis reports the energy at the Power and Light District in downtown Kansas City is building.

UPDATE, 11:50 a.m. | One of the big stories we're following today is fans getting to the stadium. Kansas City's six World Cup matches are not going to be like going to a Chiefs game or a concert at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Instead, a large security perimeter is taking up much of the parking lots at Truman Sports Complex, with only a small part reserved for VIP fans.

Most fans will look to take buses to the stadium.

KC2026 said Monday that Stadium Direct park-and-ride services from Oak Park Mall and North Kansas City are sold out.

Tickets for Stadium Direct park-and-ride service from Graceway, Independence Center, the Country Club Plaza and FIFA Fan Festival at the National World War I Museum and Memorial remained available as of late Tuesday afternoon.

KSHB 41 transportation anchor/reporter Daniela Leon touched on the transportation options

Getting around KC and to Kansas City Stadium on Match Day
UPDATE 11:30 a.m. | This video is too cool not to share:

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