The 2026 FIFA World Cup has kicked off — 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 won 2-0 against Australia in Seattle on June 19. The USMNT will be back in Los Angeles on June 25 for the final group game before 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 Announcer Loses Credentials After Expletive-Laden On-Air Tirade Against FIFAA football commentator has been stripped of his World Cup credentials by FIFA after an expletive-laden tirade against the organisation and match officials during Paraguay's 1-0 victory over Turkey in which Miguel Almiron was sent off.Jorge Chipi Vera lost his composure on live television when Paraguay's Almiron became the first player sent off at the tournament for violating a new rule that forbids players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.Almiron was dismissed for remarks made to Turkey's Mert Muldur with his hand covering his mouth in first-half stoppage time.The furious broadcaster called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the referee "thieves", accusing them of "killing football" as Paraguay were reduced to 10 men, but he later apologised and said on X late on Monday that his accreditation had been cancelled."During the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkey, I had an outburst," Vera said in his lengthy apology."In the midst of my frustration over the expulsion of a player from my country, and feeling that my national team was being harmed, I used offensive and unacceptable expressions against the referee, FIFA, and its authorities."Vera said the sanction meant he can no longer participate in his media outlet's World Cup coverage "either inside the stadiums or outside them" and it covers "any type of participation or coverage related to the World Cup".FIFA declined to comment but a source familiar with the matter said the governing body considered Vera's language unacceptable and his actions inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected of accredited broadcast personnel.FREEDOM OF SPEECHThe source suggested that, while FIFA had no problem with freedom of speech against the laws of the game, Vera's repeated use of a highly offensive Spanish phrase directed at FIFA officials was viewed as particularly shocking.FIFA banning journalists from tournaments is extremely rare.Under former President Sepp Blatter, freelance investigative reporter Andrew Jennings was barred from all FIFA events following his allegations of corruption in soccer's global governing body, many of which were subsequently vindicated in the U.S. courts.Vera, who works for ABC Cardinal and ABC TV, also apologised to sponsors that support the platforms' coverage and said he had sent a letter of apology to FIFA, taking full responsibility for his actions."Questioning a rule or disagreeing with a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did," he added."I failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires."Latest Live UpdatesFIFA Keeps Saudi And Iraqi Flags Off Ground During World Cup CeremoniesFlags of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq will not be placed on the ground during pre-match activities at the World Cup as they bear sacred Islamic text.At World Cup matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico, massive flags of the two teams have been unfurled in each half of the pitch and placed on the ground as the squads line up near the centre circle for the national anthems.However, when Saudi Arabia and Iraq play, the flags of both teams are held up over the ground, ensuring the pre-match pageantry can continue while respecting the religious significance of the Islamic inscriptions that adorn the flags."As part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony enhancements, FIFA introduced a new fan-centric presentation," a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters. "In delivering these ceremonies, FIFA worked closely with the participating teams to accommodate reasonable presentation requests."The flag of Saudi Arabia contains the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, which says: "There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."Meanwhile, the flag of Iraq contains the phrase "Allahu akbar", which translates to "God is Greatest." Muslims consider it disrespectful if the flags are placed on the ground or floor where people walk.Trump-Allied FIFA President Insists World Cup Hydration Breaks Aren't A Money-Making SchemeFIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the introduction of hydration breaks at the World Cup, insisting that for football's governing body they are driven purely by sporting considerations and not commercial interests.Mandatory three-minute breaks, introduced in the 22nd and 67th minutes of every match at the tournament, have drawn criticism from players, coaches and fans since the opening round of fixtures.The breaks, introduced to help players cope with high temperatures across North America, have opened up additional advertising windows for broadcasters.This has fuelled debate over their impact on the game, with some viewers complaining about being exposed to commercials during the three-minute stoppages."There is no additional revenue for FIFA, as all commercial agreements were signed well in advance. So, this is not a financial issue for us. For us, it is purely a sporting matter," Infantino said in a statement on Wednesday.The breaks allow coaching staff to give in-game tactical instructions, a shift critics say disrupts match momentum and fundamentally alters the nature of the game.England manager Thomas Tuchel said the additional break "interrupts and changes the identity of the football match", while Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said dividing matches into shorter segments takes away the fundamental characteristic of the game.Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk have supported the intent behind the rule in extreme heat, but questioned the need for it in cooler conditions and at covered venues."The main reason is the heat, but we also have to understand that in a competition like the (FIFA) World Cup, played over 39 days, with teams potentially playing eight matches in those 39 days, having a moment to rest is extremely important,” Infantino said."What matters even more to us is ensuring that all teams, in every match, are playing under the same conditions."It's very difficult to accept that a coach might have the opportunity to influence a match by making adjustments simply because it's hotter, while in another match, where the temperature is slightly lower, the same coach doesn’t have the same opportunity."Infantino added that the breaks had not reduced the intensity of matches, suggesting players were able to maintain a high level of performance throughout games.World Cup Weather Watch: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. QatarHere's what fans can expect in Seattle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar on Wednesday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Warning: Scotland vs. BrazilHere's what fans can expect in Miami for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Scotland and Brazil on Wednesday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Morocco vs. HaitiHere's what fans can expect in Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Morocco and Haiti on Wednesday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2FIFA Confirms Trump Will Get Chance To Make World Cup Final All About HimselfU.S. President Donald Trump will be on hand to present the World Cup final trophy on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Tuesday.Read more here:A Ridiculous Number Of Drones Have Now Been Seized At The World CupGovernment agencies have seized more than 300 drones near World Cup sites in the United States since the tournament began on June 11, the Transportation Security Administration announced on Tuesday.Stadiums and surrounding event spaces are a strict "No Drone Zone," per the Federal Aviation Administration. All aircraft, including drones, are banned on match days within three nautical miles of stadiums and up to 3,000 feet above ground level unless specifically authorized by air traffic controllers."The federal government, led by the White House Task Force, and in partnership with FBI, DHS/TSA, FAA, and state/local law enforcement have implemented the most comprehensive airspace security and drone mitigation effort in U.S. history for the FIFA World Cup 2026," the TSA said in a statement, per Front Office Sports. "Enforcement is swift and proactive."Drone operators who enter restricted airspace without approval can face civil penalties up to $75,000 and criminal fines up to $100,000. Violators may face federal criminal charges and immediate arrest. The drones can be intercepted and confiscated.Front Office Sports reported that federal officials have not released a full breakdown by host cities of the more than 300 seizures, nor total number of arrests or charges. NBC News collected information from the FBI's Miami field office that 49 drone operators had been ticketed and 54 drones seized in Florida.There has been no indication that the drones seized carried weapons or were part of planned attacks, per FOS.The federal government distributed $250 million for counter-drone security ahead of the tournament to 11 World Cup host states and Washington, D.C. The funding is for equipment, software and training used to detect, track and disable unauthorized drones, FOS reported.World Cup Player Draws Boos From Fans Amid Rape, Sexual Assault ChargesEngland fans made their feelings about Thomas Partey clear during Tuesday's World Cup clash with Ghana, booing the midfielder's early touches after England defender Djed Spence appeared to decline a pre-match handshake with him.Partey's participation at the finals has attracted scrutiny with the former Arsenal player facing seven charges of rape and two of sexual assault in Britain, allegations he has denied.Social media footage appeared to show Tottenham Hotspur defender Spence bypassing a handshake with the 33-year-old former Arsenal midfielder during the pre-match introductions following the national anthems.Partey, who missed Ghana's opening 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto after Canada refused his visa application, was then jeered whenever he received the ball.On Monday, Partey, who is now at Villarreal in Spain's La Liga, had said he felt "OK" and was "ready to play". He was a teammate of England's Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka at Arsenal.U.S. Eases Restrictions On Iran World Cup TeamThe U.S. is easing its restrictions on Iran's World Cup team, allowing the squad to travel into the country two days before its next match, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday.The team will still be required to leave after Friday's match in Seattle, a department spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Iran Football Federation confirmed that the team will leave its base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday for Seattle.“This was planned on our end,” Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, told The Associated Press. “We were going to look at how the first two movements went, and if they went smoothly, we would extend the extra day in light of the longer travel time.”The policy change was first reported by NBC News and comes as officials from both countries negotiate over how to end the war in Iran.Iran's squad has complained about the travel restrictions levied on the team, and the challenges it has faced since the outbreak of war. Iran in March sought to move its group-stage matches to Mexico, with which it has diplomatic ties. Its request to move its base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team's arrival. Several team officials and members of the support staff have been barred from traveling into the U.S. with the team.For the first two matches, near Los Angeles, the team was not permitted to travel until the day before. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei repeatedly said that restriction disadvantaged the team, especially when it had less than 24 hours on the ground before its noon match Sunday.“Right now we need recovery more than anything,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter after the 0-0 draw against Belgium. “The conditions have been extremely hard for us.”It's not uncommon for teams to travel a day before the match, and it's in line with FIFA regulations, which state that “each team shall travel from its team base camp to the match venue one day before matchday (MD‑1) and in exceptional cases on MD‑2, and shall return to their team base camp after the match (on MD/MD+1).”But Iran had asked for more time to acclimate to host cities and recover after matches, especially for the 1,200-mile (1,930-kilometer) trip to Seattle. The team is scheduled to train on Thursday at the University of Washington.“We don’t ask for much. We just ask for the same procedure as for all the other 47 teams,” Iran captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh said Sunday. “Hopefully we can bring everyone who is involved and help us with us.”The Iran team has also said it experienced difficulties entering and exiting the U.S. each time it made the 127-mile (204-kilometer) flight between Tijuana and Los Angeles. The typically short trip took five hours the day before its first match against New Zealand, team captain Mehdi Taremi said.Hours before Sunday's match against Belgium, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News the Iranians had “tried to get somebody in yesterday” who had direct ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. In a statement, the soccer federation vociferously pushed back, calling the claim “an outright and undeniable lie.”Iran's players and coaches have mostly steered clear of outright commentary on the war. “We are here for football, not politics,” Ghalenoei said Saturday. But the team hasn't shied from highlighting the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school at the start of the war in the Middle East, likely launched by the U.S.Players wore gold-colored pins with the number “168” on their jackets when they disembarked in Mexico on June 7, referencing the number of people killed in the attack, mostly young girls. They left a goodbye note in the locker room at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, after their match Sunday, calling for peace “among all nations” and with the hashtags #168 and #minab, the school’s name.At Iran's last training session Tuesday in Tijuana before departing for Seattle, four small flags had been stuck into the turf, each bearing the number 168.It's unclear whether Iran's upcoming opponent, Egypt, will also be allowed to arrive in Seattle two days early. After its 3-1 victory against New Zealand in Vancouver Sunday, Egypt asked to fly directly to Seattle. FIFA denied that request, citing a lack of security resources to accommodate the last-minute demand. Egypt returned to its base camp in Spokane, Washington, a 45-minute flight from Seattle.Egypt's national team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.World Cup Coach To Miss Next Game After Death Of His MotherFrance manager Didier Deschamps will not manage his team's final group-stage match against Norway on Friday as he flies back to France to attend his mother's funeral."Didier Deschamps will not be able to oversee training sessions ahead of the Norway v France match. He will also be absent from the bench for Friday's final Group I game," the French Football Federation said in a statement announcing the news."The national team coach learned this morning of the death of his mother and will return to France to attend her funeral."In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is currently at the France team's base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with responsibility for leading the squad until his return."France, which are the betting favorites to win the World Cup at +400 according to DraftKings, already have clinched a spot in the knockout round with wins in their first two Group I matches against Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0).Norway, though, also has won their first two matches and would knock France down to second in the group if they win Friday's match in Foxborough, Mass.Deschamps, 57, has coached France's national team since 2012. He led Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup championship and a penalty-kick loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final. He was France's captain when they won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, finishing with a then-record 103 international caps for France when he retired from international play in 2000.See All Updates