The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in June — and HuffPost will be live-blogging every twist, turn and controversy from the buildup through the final of what’s widely shaping up to be the most political soccer tournament of all time.From the action on the pitch to the potential chaos off it, the storylines are already piling up: Iran’s possible non-participation amid Donald Trump’s war, the president’s close relationship with FIFA’s Peace Prize-awarding President Gianni Infantino, and simmering tensions between the U.S. and fellow host nations Mexico and Canada fueled by Trump’s tariffs and divisive rhetoric.Trump’s travel bans could keep some fans out, there’s been fury over soaring ticket prices, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could be present at games as the Trump administration continues its anti-immigration crackdown.Not to mention extreme heat concerns that scorched all those involved the last time the U.S. hosted the tournament some 32 years ago, in 1994.And that’s all before a ball has been kicked.U.S. President Donald Trump received the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino in December.Andrew Harnik via Getty ImagesOn the field, the men’s national teams from 48 countries will compete in a record 104 matches across the three host nations in what will be the biggest World Cup in history.Mexico will take on South Africa at the iconic Mexico City Stadium in the opening game on June 11. The U.S. will play Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, Australia in Seattle on June 19 and Turkey back in Los Angeles on June 25, in the group games, before potentially competing in the later knockout rounds.The final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which is being temporarily rebranded as the New York/New Jersey Stadium for the competition.Current European champions Spain are favorites to lift the trophy. Defending champions Argentina, of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi fame, along with France, England and Brazil, are also expected to be in the mix.Check out the full games schedule on the FIFA website.Follow along with our coverage below:Canadian Province Bans Resale Of World Cup Tickets Above Face ValueFIFA has removed World Cup tickets for matches at Toronto's BMO Field stadium from their official resale marketplace after the Canadian province of Ontario passed legislation last week banning the reselling of event tickets above face value.The bill, called the 'Putting Fans First Act', says no person shall make a ticket available for sale on the secondary market or facilitate the sale of a ticket on the secondary market for an amount that exceeds the ticket's face value.FIFA operates the official resale and exchange marketplace for eligible ticket holders, which it says aims to protect fans and is subject to federal and local regulations, and has now acted after Ontario's 2026 budget bill passed on Thursday.Tickets are currently available on FIFA's marketplace for all 15 other venues and for every match at the World Cup apart from the six games in Toronto, which includes Canada's opening fixture against Bosnia on June 12.Face-value tickets are currently on sale as part of FIFA's last-minute sales phase, and additional tickets will continue to be released to the public on an ongoing basis until the World Cup final on July 19 subject to availability.FIFA's latest figures show more than five million tickets have already been sold, out of an expected total of just over six million for the tournament, but soccer's world governing body has faced criticism over pricing, not helped by its use of the variable pricing method and the resale market.Ticket holders can resell on FIFA's marketplace at any price, with one seller asking for almost $11.5 million for a Category 3 ticket for the final.FIFA has defended its secondary market model saying it is a not-for-profit organisation and revenue generated is reinvested into the global development of football.Tickets for the games in Toronto are expected to be relisted on FIFA's marketplace in line with Ontario's new legislation.The World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, starts on June 11.See All UpdatesClose