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:Fresh Travel Drama Hits Iran's World Cup Team In The U.S.U.S. host officials "caused problems" for Iran forward Mehdi Taremi and assistant coach Saeed Alhoei, delaying their delegation as they travelled to Seattle for the World Cup match against Egypt, Iran's football federation said on Wednesday.Iran's ISNA news agency, citing the federation, said team members were waiting for Taremi and Alhoei to rejoin the group.The reported incident comes days after U.S. authorities eased travel restrictions on Iran's World Cup delegation following complaints from Tehran and the team that strict entry rules were disrupting preparations.It was not immediately clear what caused the latest delay. U.S. authorities did not immediately comment. U.S. officials had previously required Iran, who are based in Tijuana, Mexico during the tournament, to enter the United States only shortly before matches and leave soon afterwards.Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei had criticised the arrangements as unfair and said repeated cross-border travel left his players fatigued. U.S. authorities this week allowed the team to arrive in Seattle two days before their match against Egypt on Friday, granting greater flexibility than for their earlier games.Relations between Washington and Tehran have added political sensitivity to Iran's participation in the World Cup, with the team facing heightened travel and security restrictions throughout the tournament.Latest Live UpdatesTeam USA Faces Turkey Thursday In Final World Cup Group-Stage MatchThe U.S. men's national soccer team will play its final World Cup group-stage match against Turkey at SoFi Stadium (rebranded as Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament) in Inglewood, California, on Thursday.Kickoff is set for 10 p.m. ET.The Americans have already secured the top spot in Group D after beating Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0.Turkey has already been eliminated from the tournament.The U.S. has also clinched a place in the knockout stage, where it is expected to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Round of 32.Check the weather forecast for the match here.World Cup Weather Watch: Paraguay vs. AustraliaHere's what fans can expect in the San Francisco Bay Area for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Paraguay and Australia on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Curaçao vs. Ivory CoastHere's what fans can expect in Philadelphia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Curaçao and Ivory Coast on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Ecuador vs. GermanyHere's what fans can expect in New Jersey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Ecuador and Germany on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Turkey vs. USAHere's what fans can expect in Los Angeles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Turkey and the U.S. on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Tunisia vs. NetherlandsHere's what fans can expect in Kansas City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Tunisia and the Netherlands on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Japan vs. SwedenHere's what fans can expect in Dallas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Japan and Sweden on Thursday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Coach Calls For Major Change To Controversial Hydration BreaksParaguay coach Gustavo Alfaro once again voiced his disdain for World Cup hydration breaks on Wednesday, calling for them to be used only in special cases to prevent matches from becoming games of four quarters.The straight-talking Argentinian, among the most outspoken figures at this World Cup, said football's continuity was being threatened and cooling breaks should only be used in extreme conditions, with agreement from both teams."These are more than hydration breaks. I know this applies to everybody, but I like continuity. Football is continuity and continuity is broken," he told a press conference that lasted close to an hour.Alfaro vented his frustration on Sunday at the drinks breaks, saying they were for commercial interests, while accusing football's business elite of hurting fans with eye-watering ticket prices in a sport played and followed primarily by the working classes.FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended cooling breaks, saying their usage was driven purely by sporting considerations.LONG AND DISRUPTIVEOn Wednesday, Alfaro said the enforced breaks were too long and had prevented his team from getting back into the game during their 4-1 drubbing by the United States, and disrupted their momentum in chasing a second goal in their win over Turkey."We end up having four quarters instead of two halves," he said. "If this were optional as in the past, people would agree before the match and take into account the temperature and other factors, they would agree on having a break. That's it.""But now it's mandatory. We cannot discuss it," he added.Paraguay are seeking to make history against Australia in Thursday's final Group D match in the San Francisco Bay Area, hoping for their first-ever back-to-back wins at a World Cup.With the United States having already sealed top spot in Group D and Turkey eliminated, Australia and Paraguay will battle for second place to earn what could be an easier opponent in the round of 32.Alfaro said his team would approach the game with patience and caution and use tactics that would consider the capabilities of Australia and factor in the Socceroos' height advantage.Reaching the next round was Paraguay's only goal, he said, whether in second or third place, and his players had the commitment, soul and spirit to get there."You know, we believe in divine justice and I think at some point that needs to favour us," he said.Homophobic Chant Returns In Mexico's World Cup Match Against The Czech RepublicFans at Mexico’s final World Cup group stage match on Wednesday chanted a slur that has previously led to fines and other sanctions against the country’s soccer federation.The slur, which literally means male prostitute in Spanish, could be heard at the Azteca stadium toward the end of the first half when Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar took a goal kick.The chant has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines levied by FIFA. It rose to popularity roughly 25 years ago and is used to intimidate goalkeepers when they take goal kicks.Read more from the Associated Press here: FIFA Will Not Prevent Fans From Bringing Pride Flags To Egypt vs. Iran MatchFIFA will not prevent fans in Seattle from bringing Pride flags to Friday's match between Iran and Egypt, despite objections from both teams, according to a report from The Telegraph.The "Pride Match" coincides with Seattle's annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. “The FIFA World Cup 2026 is an inclusive event that welcomes people from all backgrounds. Fans of all sexual orientations and gender identities are welcome at matches and events," a FIFA spokesperson told The Telegraph. Iran and Egypt had heavily lobbied FIFA against scheduling the match during Seattle's PrideFest, which attracts more than 200,000 participants annually, per the report. The Egyptian Football Association said in a statement on Tuesday that it was "categorically rejecting any activities related to supporting homosexuality during the match."According to Human Rights Watch, members of the LGBTQ+ community in Egypt are often subject to persecution, with the government refusing to "recognize the existence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender."Same-sex couples can face the death penalty in Iran. Read more from The Telegraph here:See All Updates