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:France Star Swaps Club Team Midway Through World CupReal Madrid have signed France defender Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer, the LaLiga club said on Thursday, securing the centre back on a deal until June 2030.The 27-year-old, currently at the World Cup with France, joins from Liverpool after failing to agree a contract extension to remain at Anfield.He becomes one of Jose Mourinho's first signings since returning for a second spell in charge, alongside Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella.Konate spent five seasons at Liverpool after joining from RB Leipzig in 2021, making 183 appearances and playing a key role in their Premier League title-winning campaign in 2024-25, where he formed a strong partnership with captain Virgil van Dijk.During his time at the club, he also won two League Cups and the FA Cup, and finished runner-up in the Champions League in 2022.Latest Live UpdatesStorms Threaten To Drench World Cup Party In SwedenHeavy rain and thunderstorms threaten to trigger a washout for soccer fans across Sweden on Saturday, as weather warnings loom for the millions planning to gather outdoors to watch their team's World Cup clash.The national team is scheduled to kick off against the Netherlands early in the evening, with public excitement already at fever pitch following Sweden’s roaring 5-1 opening win against Tunisia.However, a warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms issued by the state weather agency, SMHI, threatens to bring a chaotic, noisy halt to open-air celebrations across southern Sweden just as fans prepare for the match."I think this could affect the ability for many people to watch the match outside," Lasse Rydqvist, a meteorologist at weather service Klart, told Swedish media.The determination of fans to stick to their outdoor plans has forced cities into careful contingency planning. At Stockholm Olympic Stadium, where thousands plan to gather before a giant screen, municipal authorities have made it clear they will step in."We are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast and will make an assessment on-site," said Emilia Geijer, a spokesperson for the Stockholm city executive office. "In the event of danger from lightning, the necessary measures will be taken. We will not risk people's lives and health."Ultimately, whether under open skies or huddled inside away from the lightning, Swedes look set to embrace a very wet, very noisy, and uniquely memorable kick-off, with Sweden set to end their Group F stage matches against Japan on June 26.'Never Seen Anything Like This': Scotland's World Cup Fans Are Drinking Boston's Bars DryBars in Boston are gearing up for a second tidal wave of drinking by Scotland's Tartan Army of football fans who nearly drained some pubs of all their beer in the first weekend of their World Cup occupation of the city.When Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 on Saturday in their first World Cup appearance since 1998, bar staff had to scramble for emergency supplies to satisfy the country's famously raucous and thirsty fans who have packed into Boston by the tens of thousands."I've been in this business for over 30 years, and I've never seen anything like this," Billy DeCain, general manager of the Sam Adams Tap Room in the city centre, said.At one point last weekend, the bar had to call in a special truck delivery from a Sam Adams brewery to cope with the seemingly insatiable demand for beer from the Scots, and even then DeCain worried that they might have to resort to selling only cans."We just about made it through. If we didn't have those emergency deliveries it would have been a tall task," he said on Wednesday, as fans sipped on pints as they killed time before Friday's match against Morocco.Like the Haiti game, the match will take place at the vast stadium home of the New England Patriots American football team in the suburban town of Foxborough.'ON ADRENALINE ALL WEEKEND'DeCain said for Americans the equivalent level of excitement would be if their favourite American football team reached the Super Bowl for the first time."You're on adrenaline all weekend, and you could definitely see that," he said of the Scots and their first World Cup adventure in almost 30 years. "Do they ever sleep? Do they ever get tired? They were back at it the next day at 11 a.m."The celebratory energy of the Tartan Army in Boston - which included a march to the strains of massed bagpipes to the Fenway Park home of the Boston Red Sox baseball team on Sunday - has won over many people in the city.The mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, said local people had instantly connected with the visiting fans' love for their football."We count ourselves as among the most passionate and crazy sports fans anywhere. So, to see that same level of commitment and dedication, that brings true respect," Wu - wearing a blue Scotland shirt on the steps of Boston City Hall - told Reuters."The Scottish fans are the absolute best. They have been incredibly warm, they've been supporting our businesses, they have been getting to know our community and treating Boston as if it were another home away from home for them," Wu said. "So, I hope that the Tartan Army will keep coming back to Boston."After the Morocco game, Scotland will face Brazil in Miami while Boston will get ready for the visit of Scotland's 'auld enemy' England and their own army of fans ahead of England's match against Ghana in Foxborough next Tuesday.World Cup Teams Warned This U.S. Host City's Weather Could Trigger ‘Major Heat Illness’Players arriving in Miami for World Cup matches may find themselves battling more than just opposing teams, as sweltering heat and humidity threaten to turn the tournament into a test of endurance as much as skill.Teams from cooler climates face particular risks if they have not had time to acclimatise to Miami's punishing conditions, warned Dr Jason Kostrna, an assistant professor and graduate kinesiology program leader at Florida International University. Kinesiology is the study of movement, exercise, and physical performance."Unfortunately here in Miami, it's very humid and so when you go and exercise, you start dripping sweat," Kostrna told Reuters. "That means that you are not evaporating it. It's just rolling off you and you are not getting that heat loss."The physiological battle is intense. As players' bodies struggle to cool down, their hearts work overtime pumping blood to the skin in a desperate attempt to release heat through evaporation -- a process that fails in Miami's sticky air.""Then when it can't, it starts to really try and increase that heart rate," Kostrna explained.Kostrna said the heat stress compounds the already enormous pressure of representing one's country, creating an added burden that affects both physical performance and mental sharpness."You'll start to see the pace of play maybe drop a little, you'll start seeing that decision-making becomes a little more conservative. Whether that's consciously or unconsciously, depends on the athlete," he added.TEMPERATURE CLOSE TO 120 DEGREES FAHRENHEITThe temperatures across World Cup host cities are already running a few degrees above historical averages.Moreover, when measuring the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature -- which factors in humidity, sunlight and wind speed alongside air temperature -- Kostrna painted a sobering picture."Our wet bulb globe temperature for some of these games could be close to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (48.8°C) when you factor in radiative heat, humidity, the ambient temperature and throw in a little bit of the plastic or concrete jungle effect," he said."If we do not actively work to take care of everybody, that is enough to cause major heat illness."Heat mitigation measures are also in place for fans at Miami Stadium, where Miami-Dade County said it was installing cooling stations, water trailers, hydration zones and misting areas for fans and workers during the tournament.HYDRATION BREAKS A BAND-AID SOLUTIONAlthough three-minute hydration breaks have been introduced for all games to give the players the chance to take in fluids, Kostrna suggested it is merely a band-aid solution if they have not hydrated themselves in the days building up to the fixture."If you're behind on hydration, this is not magically going to fix it," he said."For the athletes, it can help bring their heart rate down, get some hydration. (The hydration breaks) can be a little bit longer, that would probably be better."His advice for teams? Arrive early and acclimatise."My hope is that there are not any teams that are truly just showing up off the plane and they're experiencing this for the first time," Kostrna said."Hopefully they have been in town for weeks and have been practising in this (heat). That should be enough even if you are somebody who is coming from one of these colder regions, your body will adapt over those weeks."World Cup Weather Watch: Switzerland vs. Bosnia-HerzegovinaHere's what fans can expect in Los Angeles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2Portugal Coach Has Blunt Response To Questions Over Cristiano Ronaldo’s RolePortugal coach Roberto Martinez dismissed questions about Cristiano Ronaldo's role after a frustrating World Cup opener, defending his decision to keep the captain on for the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Ronaldo went without a shot on target in Houston, extending his scoreless streak to five straight World Cup matches and 10 consecutive games at major tournaments. The 41-year-old forward hasn't scored a non-penalty goal at a World Cup or European Championship since June 2021, but Martinez said removing him was never a serious consideration while Portugal chased a winner."It makes no sense to get the best goal scorer in world football out in a game that you need goals," Martinez said.Ronaldo, Portugal's all-time leading scorer with 143 international goals, became only the second player to appear in six World Cups, following Lionel Messi. But unlike Messi, who scored a hat trick Tuesday, Ronaldo's bid to become the first player to score in six different World Cups will have to wait.Portugal started strong, with Joao Neves scoring in the sixth minute, but the early advantage didn't lead to sustained pressure. Martinez said the goal had the opposite effect, with Portugal becoming too cautious in possession and allowing DR Congo to reset defensively."We started very, very well," Martinez said. "Scoring the goal -- which is normally a moment when the emotion of scoring helps you keep control of the match and try to score a second goal -- had the opposite effect."Portugal continues Group K play on Tuesday against Uzbekistan in Houston.World Cup Weather Warning: Czechia vs. South AfricaHere's what fans can expect in Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Czechia and South Africa on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2'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.See All Updates