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:World Cup Player Implicated In Alleged Fixing Scandal Allowed Entry Into Canada: The AthleticElye Wahi, the striker for the Ivory Coast World Cup team, will be permitted to enter Canada for his team's second tournament game after previously being denied entry, The Athletic reported on Thursday.The Ivory Coast Football Federation (FIF) told The Athletic on Thursday that Wahi had been denied entry into Canada for the country's match against Germany in Toronto because “the administrative authorizations required for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this point."However, just a few hours later, FIF said Canada had reversed its decision, and Wahi would be allowed entry into the country. “Canada has been consistent that hosting major events does not change Canada’s immigration laws. Every person seeking to come to Canada is assessed individually, based on the facts available and the law that applies, while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians as a top priority," Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) told the Athletic. “In exceptional circumstances, Temporary Resident Permits may be granted to a person who is inadmissible or does not meet the requirements to enter or remain temporarily in Canada," the statement continued. The Athletic had previously reported that Wahi was arrested by French authorities roughly two weeks before the tournament began for his involvement in an alleged fixing scandal. Read the full story from The Athletic here: Latest Live UpdatesJonathan David's Hat Trick Powers Canada To First Ever World Cup Victory Over QatarJonathan David scored three goals and Canada won its first World Cup match while all but securing a spot in the knockout round with a 6-0 victory over Qatar on Thursday.Qatar was reduced to nine players because of red cards in the chaotic match. Assim Madibo was handed a red early in the second half after a tackle on Ismaël Koné, who was stretched off with a serious injury to his lower left leg. Homan Ahmed was sent off in the first half for a challenge on Tajon Buchanan.Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the match after missing the team’s opener in Toronto last week because of the G7 summit in France. He sat with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.Cyle Larin scored his second goal of the tournament on a rebound in the 16th minute. Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada punched away David’s volley but it fell to Larin, who pointed to his ears in celebration as the red-clad crowd roared.David doubled the lead with a right-footed volley in the 29th, for his first goal in the run of play in more than a year.Read more from the Associated Press here:FIFA Acts After England Coach Calls Out Photographers For Getting 'Very Close'FIFA has reportedly changed its guidelines after England coach Thomas Tuchel complained that photographers had “ruined” his experience of the national anthem before his team's World Cup win over Croatia.On Wednesday, a frustrated Tuchel told the photographers that they were “very close” — as shown by the photograph above.In a press conference following the 4-2 victory, the German-born coach explained they had blocked his view of the England team as the national anthem, “God Save The King,” played.“I was waiting for this moment,” Tuchel said, per The Associated Press, of his World Cup debut as the team's leader.“It was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of 50 photographers half a meter away and I could not see one single player,” Tuchel said. “It ruined a little bit my experience today.”The Athletic reported Thursday that FIFA's updated guidelines will let national team head coaches stand to the left or right of the photographers during the ceremony.GOP Senator Scolds Foreign Fans For Mocking Trump At World Cup: 'Be Respectful'Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) isn't pleased with international soccer fans who are clowning President Donald Trump at the World Cup.Fans of Australia's national team — in a social media clip filmed in Vancouver, Canada, the site of the squad's 2-0 win over Turkey on Sunday — targeted the U.S. president in a chant as they marched the Canadian city's streets."Aussie boys are on a bender, Donald Trump is a sex offender," chanted the fans in a likely reference to Trump being found liable in court for sexual abuse back in 2023 or his ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (The president has denied any wrongdoing and he has not been implicated in Epstein's crimes.)Another video from an apparent World Cup watch party shows supporters of the green and gold delivering the chant; it's unclear where the clip was filmed.Scott, when asked about fans "disparaging" Trump by Pablo Manriquez (@PabloReports) of the MeidasTouch Network, claimed he hadn't seen the comments."It's great that we get to host the World Cup. Now, I want America to win. But if you come to our country, you ought to be respectful of our president," Scott began."And think about it — they probably can't do it in their countries."Manriquez chimed in, "Well, I mean, it's the Australians. The Australians who are the ones who are really pushing it, so."Fans of Australia are set to head across the U.S.-Canadian border on Friday as the squad faces the U.S. at Seattle's Lumen Field.PabloReports: What do you make of these World Cup fans who are disparaging the president, calling him a sex offender?Rick Scott: If you come to our country, you ought to be respectful of our president. They probably can’t do it in their countries.PabloReports: It’s the… pic.twitter.com/YVN2Asb0jB— Acyn (@Acyn) June 18, 2026Messi's Father Recovering From Health Issue, Family SaysBUENOS AIRES, June 18 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's father is recovering from a health issue and "evolving favorably," his family said in a statement on Thursday.Speculation about the health of Jorge Messi intensified after Lionel wiped away tears with his shirt after scoring Argentina's first goal against Algeria at the World Cup. Messi said he was crying for a personal reason not connected with the sport and that he had gone through difficult days.Messi's family said Jorge was "under medical follow-up" and asked for privacy. It did not specify the nature of the health issue."The health of one person and the tranquility of those around them should not be object of speculation or of irresponsible media interest," the family said.Messi's father is in a delicate state in a hospital in Argentina, a source close to the family told Reuters.Argentina will continue their title defense with a Group J game against Austria on Monday.(Reporting by Ramiro Scandolo; writing by Leila Miller, editing by Ed Osmond)Brazil Star Ruled Out Of World Cup Match Against HaitiBrazil forward Neymar has been ruled out for Friday's World Cup match against Haiti in Philadelphia.The Brazil federation confirmed Thursday that Neymar will not travel with the team and will remain at the base camp in Morristown, N.J., where he returned to the practice field Wednesday for the first time since sustaining a calf injury on May 17.Neymar, 34, is Brazil's all-time leader with 79 goals but has not competed in an international match since October 2023. He missed the team's Group C opener on Saturday, a 1-1 draw with Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J.Brazil's media corps has reported that the team medical staff is hoping to have Neymar back for the knockout round.Scotland are currently atop Group C through one round of matches behind their 1-0 defeat of Haiti.— Field Level Media1995 Smash Hit Becomes World Cup's Newest AnthemThe Oasis classic “Wonderwall” is enjoying a new lease of life at this year's World Cup.After a 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas, England fans serenaded their team with a version of the 1995 hit as the song was played over the AT&T Stadium's speakers.Footage showed England stars including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham soaking up the rousing rendition of the Manchester band's most popular number, with some of the players joining in.Some pop songs have been universally embraced by soccer fans, so it's not a stretch for the Gallagher brothers' singalong to be added to the sport's songbook.Supporters from a number of countries at the tournament have been belting out Gala's 1995 Eurodance tune “Freed From Desire” — especially the “na na na na na naaaa na na naaaaa na na na” chorus.A chant based around the guitar line from The White Stripes' “Seven Nation Army” is another favorite likely to ring out across the three host nations into July.The “Wonderwall” reprise comes as the Britpop band have enjoyed a renaissance as result of a successful reunion tour in 2025.Watch here as the moment was captured by Fox Sports.Storms 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."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.See All Updates