The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off last week — and HuffPost is live-blogging every twist, turn and controversy 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 tough journey to the competition 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 have kept some fans and officials 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 everyone involved the last time the U.S. hosted the tournament, some 32 years ago, in 1994.President Donald Trump, left, received the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, in December.Andrew Harnik via Getty ImagesOn the field, the men’s national teams from 48 countries are competing in a record 104 matches across the three host nations in what will be the biggest World Cup in history.The U.S. beat Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles on June 12 and will play 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:FIFA To Pay Somali Referee After U.S. Denying Him Entry To World CupMIAMI, June 14 (Reuters) - Somali soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will be paid his full tournament fee.The Trump administration said the United States had denied Artan entry for the World Cup because of his links to "suspected members of terror organizations".A source familiar with the matter said even though Artan will take no part in the World Cup, FIFA has committed to paying his salary.Artan, Africa's referee of the year in 2025, was set to become the first Somali to officiate at soccer's global showpiece, but was turned back by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.However, he returned home to a hero's welcome while European soccer body UEFA appointed him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa in August.(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Miami; Editing by Toby Chopra)Latest Live Updates'You're Dripping With Blood': Fox Announcer Injured By Projectile During World Cup GameFox sportscaster Warren Barton got slammed in the head by an object during a World Cup game on Wednesday, prompting alarm from colleague Jacqui Oatley as he began to bleed. Read more below.Security Forces Intercept Drone Over South Korea’s Secret World Cup TrainingSouth Korea coach Hong Myung-bo on Wednesday described the appearance of a drone during a closed World Cup training session as "unfortunate" ahead of the crucial World Cup Group A game against co-hosts Mexico.Mexican security forces told Reuters the device was intercepted over the training ground on Tuesday because it was not registered. The intervention was part of a security operation implemented across World Cup host cities that involves the coordination of thousands of personnel and advanced technology.The heightened measures come as authorities attempt to bolster safety in Jalisco, a state that has faced high levels of insecurity generated by violent criminal groups fighting over drug trafficking routes and other crimes.While the interruption occurred just as the squad was set to begin sensitive tactical work, Hong noted that the team's primary preparations remained intact. "It did not impact us significantly, but while we were preparing for the match, that was the most important timing, so what happened was unfortunate," Hong told a press conference.South Korea are looking to build on the momentum of their 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic to secure a firm grip on the top of the group. The drone incident added a layer of tension to the high-stakes match at the Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday, where Mexico will look to leverage its status as a tournament co-host.With a massive home crowd expected to create a partisan atmosphere, Hong emphasised that his players must maintain their composure to neutralise home-soil advantage."My players have experienced such matches before, so it will be different tomorrow," Hong said. "We need to control the rhythm and the flow of the match and then the timing will be important to consider."Man Arrested After Allegedly Trying To Rent Out His World Cup CredentialMexico City police arrested a man on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to rent out his official World Cup accreditation on social media to provide unauthorised stadium access, local authorities said.The 24-year-old suspect was detained near the Azteca Stadium after attempting to reactivate his credential, the city's Citizen Security Secretariat said in a statement.A legal representative for World Cup organisers alerted authorities after discovering the online posts. Police did not disclose the fee the man was allegedly seeking for the rental.Mexico City is hosting several matches during the expanded 48-team tournament, including group-stage fixtures featuring Mexico. Later on Wednesday, World Cup debutants Uzbekistan face Colombia in a Group K match in the capital.The suspect, who was not named, has been transferred to the public prosecutor's office, which will determine his legal status, the statement added.Erling Haaland’s World Cup Goals Literally Registered As Earth Tremors In NorwayErling Haaland's first-half double for Norway in Tuesday's 4-1 World Cup win over Iraq literally shook the Nordic country, with seismology institute NORSAR registering earth tremors in the coastal city of Bergen when he scored on his tournament debut.The giant striker rattled home his first goal in the 29th minute - Norway's first at a World Cup since 1998 - and added a second before halftime in Boston, causing outbreaks of joyous celebration in his homeland where the game started at midnight."On Wednesday night, the seismic station in Bergen recorded clear signals near the station from the World Cup match between Norway and Iraq. The largest fluctuations coincide with Erling Braut Haaland's goals, which triggered strong cheers among Norwegian supporters," NORSAR said in a statement."The clearest effects are seen in connection with the Norwegian goals, especially Haaland's two goals. The signals are probably due to cheers and movements among Norwegian supporters who were watching the match in Bergen," the statement went on. "When many people react simultaneously to big sporting moments, the combined movements can create vibrations in the ground that are recorded by sensitive seismometers."The institute said that the measurements were an indication of both the Norwegians' joy over their team scoring at the World Cup and the sensitivity of modern seismology equipment."So even though Norway didn't trigger an earthquake against Iraq, the cheering of Norwegian fans made the seismic measuring equipment in Bergen shake a little extra," they said.World Cup Player Arrested In France For Alleged Fixing Scheme: The AthleticElye Wahi, the forward for the Ivory Coast World Cup team, was arrested on suspicion of a fixing offense roughly two weeks before the tournament began, The Athletic reported on Wednesday. Sources familiar with the matter told the outlet that the 23-year-old was the subject of an active investigation to determine whether Wahi, while playing for his Nice Ligue 1 club, intentionally earned a yellow card during a match against Metz on May 17. French police arrested Wahi on May 29 following a victory over Saint-Etienne. Despite the arrest, Wahi traveled to the U.S. for the World Cup and started in the Ivory Coast's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia on Sunday. “We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering," a spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office said in a statement to The Athletic on Tuesday. “He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup," the statement continued. Ivory Coast’s next game is against Germany in Toronto on Saturday.Read the full story from The Athletic: Cape Verde Goalkeeper’s Mother Granted U.S. Entry After Visa Complications: WaPoThe mother of Cape Verde's goalkeeper has been granted entry into the U.S. after missing her son's first game due to visa complications, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday. Josimar “Vozinha” Dias turned in a dominating performance against Spain on Monday, helping the Cape Verde team blank the powerhouse squad in a 0-0 draw. Following the game, Vozinha sobbed, saying that his mother, Ana Candida Evora, was unable to attend the World Cup because she could not afford the $15,000 bond required by the State Department for Cape Verde residents to obtain a visa.Vozinha's statement prompted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) to contact Secretary of State Marco Rubio to arrange travel for Evora, the Post reported. “No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history,” Jeffries said in a statement Wednesday.A State Department official told The Post that they had reached out to assist Vozinha’s family. Jeffries said Evora will be able to secure a visa in time to attend Cape Verde's match against Uruguay on Sunday. All World Cup players and team members, as well as their families, are eligible for visa bond waivers, according to the State Department.Read the full story from the Washington Post here: Fans Boo Hydration Break During England-Croatia World Cup MatchLoud boos echoed around Dallas Stadium at the start of the first hydration break during the World Cup clash between England and Croatia on Wednesday as fans signalled their disdain for the innovation.FIFA’s mandatory three-minute breaks, one in each half, have proved controversial since being introduced for the first time at this World Cup to help players deal with the heat and humidity of the North American summer.Read more from Reuters:DR Congo Holds Portugal To Draw In First World Cup In Over Half A CenturyHOUSTON, June 17 (Reuters) - Portugal and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Group K rivals Democratic Republic of Congo in their World Cup clash in a sodden Houston on Wednesday.Portugal took the lead inside six minutes when Pedro Neto crossed for Joao Neves to head home from 15 meters as one of the pre-tournament favorites made the perfect start, though it would be their only effort on target in the game.DR Congo, appearing at their first World Cup since 1974, grew into the game and were level deep into added time at the end of the first half when Yoane Wissa was left unmarked from a corner to head in at the back post.Cedric Bakambu struck the post for the Congolese in the second period, while Ronaldo twice fired wide from close range as he appeared at a sixth World Cup, a record he shares with Argentina’s Lionel Messi.(Reporting by Nick Said. Editing by Ken Ferris.)Ex-CBS Talk Show Host Gave World Cup Star A New Way To Celebrate Goal. He Used It.French star Kylian Mbappé didn’t need advice on how to score goals at the World Cup on Tuesday. He scored two in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal.But he did take the recommendation of former “Late Late Show” host James Corden on how to celebrate. Read more below.South Africa Midfielder Hit With Multi-Match BanATLANTA, June 17 (Reuters) - South Africa midfielder Themba Zwane has had his suspension after being sent off in the World Cup opener against Mexico last Thursday extended to a three-match ban, FIFA said on Wednesday.Zwane was dismissed for striking defender Roberto Alvarado's face late in the game, which Mexico won 2-0 at the Azteca Stadium. South Africa finished the match down to nine men after midfielder Sphephelo Sithole had been dismissed earlier.The 36-year-old Zwane, who had come on as a substitute just over 20 minutes before, looked bemused after being red-carded by Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio, having tried to get past Alvarado on the edge of the Mexico box. The two made contact before Zwane’s hand struck Alvarado in the face.After the match, South Africa coach Hugo Broos said he could accept the sending off of Sithole, who denied a goalscoring chance to Mexico on the edge of the area, but thought Zwane’s dismissal was contentious."The second red card we can discuss," Broos said at the post-match press conference. "It was the Mexican player who was blocking my player. But it's the position of the referee, and we have to accept it also, but I think it was too soft to give that as a red card."The first red card, you have to accept it. Their player was going alone to the goal and Yaya (Sithole) fouled him, so that I can understand."Dismissals at the World Cup earn the offender an automatic one-match ban, but in the case of foul play it can be extended by the FIFA disciplinary committee.South Africa, who play the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday in their second Group A game, can appeal, FIFA said.(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Atlanta; Editing by Ken Ferris)See All Updates