Lionel Messi could be on the verge of making World Cup history in North Texas after a standout performance in Argentina’s opening match of the 2026 tournament.

The Argentine captain delivered a hat-trick on Tuesday in a 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City, a result that pushed him into a tie with Germany’s Miroslav Klose for the most career goals in men’s World Cup history.

Messi now holds 16 World Cup goals across six tournament appearances. He has also scored in five consecutive World Cup matches, strengthening expectations that he could soon surpass Klose’s long-standing record.

Historic Moment Could Arrive in Arlington

Argentina’s next group-stage match is scheduled for Monday against Austria at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which is being referred to as Dallas Stadium during the World Cup.

Kickoff is set for noon, and all eyes will be on Messi as he attempts to extend his scoring streak. If he finds the net once again, he would move ahead of Klose and claim the all-time World Cup scoring record on one of football’s biggest stages in North Texas.

The potential milestone would add another historic chapter to the tournament’s presence in the Dallas area, which has already hosted multiple high-profile matches.

Mbappé Close Behind in Record Race

While Messi is on the brink of history, the record may not remain out of reach for long.

France’s Kylian Mbappé currently sits just behind him with 14 World Cup goals after scoring twice in France’s opening match against Senegal. At 27 years old and already in his third World Cup, Mbappé is widely viewed as a strong candidate to eventually surpass both Messi and Klose.

Dallas Stadium Continues to Host Major World Cup Moments

The upcoming Argentina vs. Austria match could become one of the defining moments of the tournament if Messi breaks the record in Arlington.

With high-profile performances already unfolding at the venue, Dallas Stadium has quickly become a central stage for World Cup drama—and Monday’s match could elevate its place in football history even further.