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:Soccer Star Learns His World Cup Fate After U.S. Embassy ShowdownSwitzerland forward Breel Embolo could not travel with the team on Tuesday due to a flagged visa, but the Switzerland football federation on Thursday announced that Embolo would be joining his teammates later this week."We have just been informed that Breel Embolo's visa has been approved," a statement from the federation read. "He will therefore be able to travel to the United States. He is expected to join the team on Friday evening."A 29-year-old striker with 24 international goals to his credit as a member of the Swiss team, Embolo's absence would have certainly been felt.At the club level, Embolo has most recently competed for French side Stade Rebbaus FC, where he had 10 goals in 2025-26.Per the BBC, the snag came up due to a previous conviction over an altercation in Basel in 2018. Embolo had been convicted of making threats five years later, which he chose not to appeal.That left his fate to be decided at a meeting at the US Embassy in Bern, where he made his case on Wednesday.Switzerland is scheduled to open the World Cup on June 13 against Qatar in Group B play in Santa Clara, Calif. Other members of the group include Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina.Latest Live UpdatesWorld Cup Favorites Spain Held By Iraq In FriendlyEuropean champions Spain were held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a World Cup warm-up in A Coruna on Thursday, with manager Luis de la Fuente resting several key players before their final friendly against Peru in Puebla, Mexico, on Monday.De la Fuente left out Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, David Raya, Victor Munoz, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, Rodri and Mikel Oyarzabal because of fitness concerns, leaving Spain with a heavily rotated starting line-up.The result was a subdued send-off for Spain on home soil before they travel to North America on Friday. They will begin their World Cup campaign in Group H against Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.Spain struggled to break down an organised Iraq side whose compact low block denied the hosts the rhythm that carried them to the 2024 European Championship title in Germany.The hosts took the lead in the 16th minute in a quick counter attack, with Ferran Torres bursting through the middle from midfield into the box before firing past the goalkeeper.Iraq equalised through Merchas Doski in the 27th minute with a superb left-footed strike from a difficult angle on the left edge of the box, the ball arcing over Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who was slightly off his line, and dropping into the net.Torres struck the crossbar in the 40th minute, but Spain found clear openings hard to come by against disciplined opponents who will play only their second World Cup in Group I with France, Senegal and Norway.FIFA Bans One Of The World Cup's Most Infamous And Iconic SoundsSoccer fans looking to bring the party to World Cup games will have to go without vuvuzelas, with FIFA banning the plastic horns from venues in the U.S., Canada and Mexico in its stadium code of conduct.Vuvuzelas, a horn made with a long plastic shell, are a staple of South African soccer matches and took the world by storm at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. But they have drawn criticism over their monotonous droning sound, often likened to a swarm of bees.Along with vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns and other excessively loud noise-making devices are prohibited from all 16 World Cup venues, according to FIFA's stadium code of conduct.Instruments that emit laser beams, laser pointers or similar emissions are also banned.The list of prohibited items and behaviors goes on to state that body paint and body tattoos do not constitute as clothing. Streaking, flashing or removing clothing to reveal intimate body parts is also prohibited.FIFA has also banned spectators from bringing reusable water bottles into venues, citing safety concerns.Attendees who violate the rules can be refused entry or removed from the stadium, the code says.The expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19. Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa on June 11.Japan's World Cup Preparations Take Unexpected Turn After Viral Pitch ControversyJapan are making a brief stay in Monterrey, Mexico, during their World Cup journey, but the early returns have not been encouraging.In fact, Japan changed practice venues within the city Thursday after encountering subpar conditions at Tigres UANL's field.Video of Japan training at Tigres' facility went viral on Mexican social media Wednesday, as the pitch had visible signs of wear.While the Japanese delegation did not say why they moved Thursday, players headed to a different part of the metro area and practiced at El Barrial, the practice facility belonging to Tigres' rivals C.F. Monterrey.Japan will set up their base camp in Nashville, Tenn., but won't arrive there until Monday.They'll open Group F play against the Netherlands on June 14 in Arlington, Texas. They'll face Tunisia at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, the home of C.F. Monterrey, on June 20 and return to Arlington to play Sweden on June 25.Shakira's World Cup Duties Just Got Even BiggerColombian singer Shakira will perform the official World Cup song "Dai Dai" at the opening ceremony in Mexico, FIFA said on Friday.Shakira will be joined by Burna Boy on Thursday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The opening ceremony will begin 90 minutes before kickoff between Mexico and South Africa.The show will also feature Colombian star J Balvin and South African singer Tyla.Shakira is also set to perform at the first-ever World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.Rights Groups Blare Alarm Over World Cup In Donald Trump's AmericaRights groups raised concerns over the safety of journalists and fans attending the World Cup in the United States on Wednesday, accusing FIFA of allowing a “distinctively dangerous climate of fear” amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.Read more here:FIFA's Brand New World Cup Ban Is Raising Concerns About Staying CoolAttendees of the World Cup will not be allowed to carry reusable water bottles into venues due to safety concerns, FIFA said on Thursday, following a last-minute change to its Stadium Code of Conduct.The governing body, which had earlier permitted empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles inside stadiums, said the updated code - effective from Tuesday - now prohibits them. Other items like bottles, cups, jars and cans are also banned to prevent the risk of injury if thrown."FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff," it told Reuters in a statement. "FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.""Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums."The move has raised concerns among supporters about coping with heat, with temperatures at a few venues expected to range between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius, as well as access to drinking water inside stadiums.FIFA said measures would be in place to deal with the conditions."FIFA works closely with each Host City Committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans traveling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents and more around the stadium footprint," the statement said."Inside the stadium footprint, pricing for water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium."The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19. The tournament will feature 104 matches, up from 64 previously, including an additional knockout round.World Cup Star Goes To U.S. Embassy For Urgent Visa After Travel DeniedSwitzerland forward Breel Embolo applied for an urgent visa at the United States embassy in Bern on Wednesday, one day after he was denied boarding the team’s flight to the World Cup because of a criminal conviction.The Swiss soccer federation at the team's training camp in San Diego confirmed why Embolo’s travel approval to the U.S. had been put under review Tuesday. He has a conviction that became binding this year.Embolo was charged after an altercation in Basel city center in 2018 and his guilty verdict was upheld at appeal last September. The verdict was finalized in April, just weeks before Embolo was due to travel to the U.S. for the third World Cup of his career.“The embassy’s inquiries focused specifically on whether any physical violence had been involved. This was not the case,” the Swiss soccer body said. “Breel and the team are now awaiting approval so that he can travel to San Diego and join the squad as soon as possible.”Switzerland starts its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Qatar at the San Francisco 49ers’ stadium in Santa Clara.The Swiss then play Bosnia-Herzegovina in Inglewood, California and finish Group B against tournament co-host Canada in Vancouver on June 24.The 29-year-old Embolo is set to be Switzerland’s first-choice striker and has scored 24 goals in 86 internationals.Iran's World Cup Plans Survive Another HurdleDespite visa delays, the Iranian national team will travel to Mexico this weekend to prepare for the World Cup.Iran's participation in this summer's tournament in North America has been in some doubt since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against the nation in late February.Iran announced last month that it was moving its World Cup base camp from Tucson, Ariz., to Tijuana, Mexico.Iran football federation chief Mehdi Taj told Iranian TV that he expects the issues receiving visas for Mexico and the U.S. to be resolved "quickly," per USA Today.The Iranian team has been training in Turkey, where it will play a final tune-up friendly on Thursday against Mali.Iran is in Group G for the World Cup along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. Its opening match will be against New Zealand on June 15 in Inglewood, Calif., before playing Belgium on June 21 (Inglewood) and Egypt on June 26 (Seattle).Roadblocks, Protests And Delays Plague World Cup Host City Before KickoffEight days before Mexico City kicks off the World Cup, mass protests by teachers and retired judges, road closures and last-minute construction work caused chaos in the capital on Wednesday for millions of residents who face long delays and complex rerouting of their daily commutes.On June 11, Mexico City will host the inaugural World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa at Azteca stadium in the capital.With Mexico in the global spotlight, teachers and other groups have staged marches and blocked major avenues. They have said their protests, which are unrelated to the tournament, could intensify unless President Claudia Sheinbaum's government addresses their demands.The CNTE, a dissident wing of the national teachers' union, has threatened mass demonstrations at the opening of the World Cup in official statements shared on social media.The union is demanding the government fulfill a campaign pledge to repeal a 2007 law that overhauled the pension and social security system for public-sector workers, as well as salary increases."The current government made a campaign commitment — both the government of (former President) Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and President Sheinbaum's — they said they had that commitment to teachers to strike down that reform ... but it never happened," Rodrigo Arias, a schoolteacher from the southern state of Oaxaca with 40 years of classroom experience, said."There is neglect. There is a policy of managing timelines, of making commitments that are never truly kept. We will keep mobilizing until we are heard — even with the World Cup on the horizon," added Arias, outside the Interior Ministry, where the CNTE was holding a protest while its leaders met with authorities in hope of reaching agreements.The protests are concentrated on Insurgentes and Paseo de la Reforma, two of the capital's busiest and most emblematic boulevards. Elsewhere in the capital, teachers were also blocking roads, generating traffic gridlock and frustrating commuters.On Tuesday, protesters toppled towering statues of football players on Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma.Arias said those responsible were not members of the union and that the CNTE was not seeking to destroy property or provoke confrontation. Nevertheless, several businesses along the avenue had by Wednesday erected metal and wooden barriers to protect themselves.Sheinbaum said at her daily morning press conference that she would not be baited into provocations or order a crackdown on the demonstrations.In downtown Mexico City, retired judges and magistrates were also protesting, demanding severance pay and pensions following a sweeping 2024 judicial reform that restructured the country's justice system."The traffic is really affecting us; we're losing too much time," lamented Armando Escobedo, a delivery driver, as he took a detour around street closures. "You have to be empathetic with the teachers, but they do hurt us at work," he added.Mexico will host 13 World Cup matches: five in the capital, and four each in the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey. Mexico City has undergone several infrastructure projects ahead of the world's biggest sporting event.However, renovations at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, the country's largest and busiest airport, and repairs to the capital's metro system and main avenues have yet to be completed. On Tuesday, a metal structure from a pedestrian bridge at the airport collapsed, injuring a motorist.U.S. Faces Nervous Wait Over Fitness Of Key World Cup StarterU.S. men's national team center back Chris Richards worked out on his own Wednesday for the first time since arriving at the team's pre-World Cup camp last week.Multiple reporters shared video of Richards going through individual training in Fayetteville, Ga., as he recovers from torn ankle ligaments suffered while playing for Crystal Palace on May 17. The 26-year-old was included on the 26-player roster submitted by USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino, who said last week that it was too soon to know Richards' status for the World Cup.Teams have until 24 hours before their first match to replace a player on their roster due to serious injury or illness. Any changes are subject to FIFA approval.Richards is a certain starter when healthy, but he is in a race against time to prove his fitness ahead of the USMNT's June 12 World Cup opener against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif. The team also faces Australia in Seattle on June 19 and Turkey back in Inglewood on June 26.Richards joined the team on Friday after arriving from Europe."We need to see," Pochettino said of Richards' status over the weekend. "The next few days are going to be key, to see the possibility to be ready or not on the World Cup."The U.S. is co-hosting the 48-team tournament with Canada and Mexico. The Americans beat Senegal 3-2 in a friendly on Sunday, and they will have one more tune-up this Saturday against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago.See All Updates