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:Shakira's World Cup Soccer Star Ex Pique Fined For Insider TradingSpanish stock market regulator CNMV has fined former Spain defender Gerard Pique and Francisco Jose Elias over the use of inside information linked to Atrys Health's plan to buy Aspy Global Services in 2021, it said on Monday.Pique, owner of FC Andorra, founder of the Kings League seven-a-side soccer format and ex of Colombian pop star Shakira, faces a penalty double that of Elias, reflecting his role as the information recipient who traded on it in a rare case of insider trading allegations against a high-profile sports figure.CNMV fined Elias 100,000 euros ($113,507) for unlawfully sharing inside information and Pique 200,000 euros for using that information to buy 104,166 Aspy shares on January 20, 2021.The inside information, which concerned talks on Atrys Health's planned offer for Aspy Global Services, became public two days later. The regulator said Pique sold the shares on January 27, 2021, making an economic gain.Based on historical LSEG data, Aspy shares closed at 2.36 euros per share on January 20 and at 2.80 euros per share on January 27, 2021. Applied to the number of shares traded, this implies an estimated gain of about 45,800 euros. The resolution is dated April 22 and the sanctions are final in the administrative process, though they can still be challenged before Spain's National Court.See All UpdatesClose