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:U.S. Suffers Double Injury Scare Ahead Of World CupUnited States attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson came away with left leg injury while playing for Leeds United on Sunday, although initial speculation is that the setback is not expected to jeopardize his World Cup status.Prospective USMNT defender Chris Richards also went down with a injury Sunday when he rolled his left ankle while playing for Crystal Palace. The second-half substitute returned to the match after a minute on the sideline and played to its completion.Aaronson, who is in excellent position to make the United States Men's National Team for the second consecutive World Cup cycle, went to the ground in the 58th minute of Leeds' Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion.The 25-year-old Medford, N. J., native was clutching at his left leg as Leeds' medical team came onto the pitch. He limped off the field and was replaced in an eventual 1-0 victory.Richards, 26, is a native of Alabama who was in the FC Dallas development program before joining Bayern Munich's academy in Germany in 2018. He played in Germany's Bundesliga for two seasons before moving to Crystal Palace in 2022.USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino will reveal his 26-player squad for this summer's World Cup on May 26 at a public event in New York.Aaronson tops Leeds with five assists and has added four goals, while playing a team-best 35 (of 37) matches this season.Aaronson signed a five-year deal with Leeds in 2022. He was loaned to FC Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga in 2023-24 after Leeds was relegated, but returned to the West Yorkshire, England, club a year later.Aaronson earned his first call-up to the USMNT in October 2019, made his debut with the team in 2020 and played in all three of the United States' 2022 World Cup games.Richards has 36 appearances with the USNMT since 2020, scoring three goals, but was not named to the United States' 2022 World Cup roster. He has played in 33 Premier League games for Crystal Palace this season, scoring one goal.See All UpdatesClose