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. won its group by beating Paraguay 4-1, Australia 2-0, but losing 3-2 to Turkey. Team USA will play Bosnia & Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 2.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:Iran Misses Historic World Cup Breakthrough By Cruelest Of MarginsIran's hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout phase for the first time came to an agonising end this weekend after Austria's last-gasp equaliser against Algeria left them outside the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.Amir Ghalenoei's side completed their Group G campaign on Friday with a 1-1 draw against Egypt, leaving them waiting to discover whether three points would be enough to earn a spot in the round of 32.Iran had already endured one major setback when a stoppage-time winner against Egypt was ruled out for offside.That left them needing other results in group-stage matches to go their way, and for a few minutes on Saturday it looked as if Iran were going to squeeze through when Algeria struck in stoppage time to lead Austria 3-2.However, the Austrians equalised with almost the final kick of the game, salvaging a 3-3 draw that sent both teams through and denied Iran a place in the knockouts in their seventh World Cup appearance.Iran leave the tournament unbeaten after draws with Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in a challenging campaign due to issues off the pitch.Uncertainty over visas and Iran's conflict with the U.S. meant the team had to commute from their tournament base in co-hosts Mexico for their three group games in the United States.U.S. authorities required them to enter within 24 hours of a match and leave the same day, though the restrictions were eased slightly for their final game in Seattle, where they were allowed to arrive two days ahead of the game.U.S. President Donald Trump had said in March that Iran were welcome to participate in the World Cup but he did not believe it was appropriate for them to be in the United States "for their own life and safety".After the draw with Egypt, captain Mehdi Taremi described the situation as a logistical "disaster" and questioned whether his team were truly welcome at the tournament."Who wants to help us?" Taremi told reporters. "If they want us to be out – OK, let's be out. But that's not fair."Key members of the delegation had been unable to join the squad in the U.S., and Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team were being “oppressed”.Ultimately, Iran's campaign came down to moments.Had Taremi scored a first-half penalty against Egypt, or had his header hit the net instead of the crossbar later on, Iran might have been looking forward to a knockout match for the first time.Latest Live UpdatesCanada Advances To World Cup Last 16 In The Most Dramatic FashionStephen Eustaquio hammered home a rasping strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 92nd minute to give Canada a 1-0 victory over South Africa on Sunday, propelling the co-hosts into the World Cup last 16 for the first time in their history.Eustaquio received the ball on the edge of the South Africa penalty area and powered it past diving goalkeeper Ronwen Williams in a thrilling conclusion to the first knockout-round match of the World Cup.South Africa, who had seemed content to play for extra time and a possible penalty shootout, made a few furious but unsuccessful attempts to level before the final whistle as the sun broke through the clouds at Los Angeles Stadium.Canada will next face either the Netherlands or Morocco on July 4 in Houston for a place in the quarter-finals."We just kept believing, we kept pushing and I think we couldn’t have imagined it any other way," Eustaquio said."It was an amazing goal. When I shot it, I felt everybody shot it with me. Everybody put a little bit of power on it, and it went to the back of the net, so I'm very happy."Canada coach Jesse Marsch said his team had chances throughout the match but were not "lethal enough"."And then it falls to Steph and I just hope he'll put it on frame and give it a chance and he buries it," Marsch said."The hard work from these guys, the character - they're Canadian heroes. That's what I told them at the end. They are now Canadian heroes. I'm so happy for them."TENSE MATCH IN LAChances were scarce in a cagey first half, with little to separate the sides, who were both playing in the knockout rounds for the first time.Canada's best opening came just before halftime when a corner sparked a scramble in the South Africa box, Moise Bombito sending a header goalward that was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba before Tajon Buchanan's close-range effort struck Williams in the chest.Moments later, Richie Laryea went down in the area, prompting Canadian appeals for a penalty, but the decision not to award a spot kick stood after a VAR review, prompting loud boos from Canada's red-clad army of supporters, who dominated the stands.Marsch continued to protest as the teams left the field at halftime, with Bombito appearing to urge him away from the referee.Frustration grew for Canada in the second half as South Africa showed little urgency to press forward while maintaining an impenetrable defence.Canada had another chance just before the second half hydration break when Tani Oluwaseyi's shot hit the keeper and Jonathan David was unable to head the ricochet home thanks to an excellent defensive effort by Mbekezeli Mbokazi to clear the ball.But Eustaquio's strike deep in stoppage time ended Canada's torment and sent their supporters into raptures.Having advanced from the group stage for the first time in three World Cup appearances, the co-hosts had to play their first game outside Canada at this year's World Cup on Sunday, with only three days' rest after a disappointing 2-1 defeat by Switzerland in their final group-stage match on Wednesday.'WE'RE GOING TO BE READY'Canada, who have battled injuries, were boosted by Bombito's return to the starting lineup and captain Alphonso Davies's comeback off the bench, the Bayern Munich wide player providing a second-half spark in his 2026 World Cup debut.Marsch said he was flying to Mexico later on Sunday to see the Netherlands take on Morocco at Estadio Monterrey on Monday."We're going to be ready to throw everything we have at a giant," he said.South Africa can hold their heads high after reaching the knockout stage for the first time in four attempts, though they will rue a tame exit."Everyone is sad," said Teboho Mokoena, who added he had come agonisingly close to preventing the winner."If I had taken three more steps, I could have stopped that shot," he said.The match marked the World Cup finale for 74-year-old South Africa coach Hugo Broosand potentially brings down the curtain on a career spanning more than five decades as both a player and manager."I will see in the next days what I will do for the future," he said."For sure, this is my last World Cup."South Korea Coach Quits After Early World Cup ExitSouth Korea coach Hong Myung-bo resigned Sunday after the team’s quick elimination from the World Cup drew a harsh condemnation from the country’s president, who called the coach “incapable” and ordered a complete review of the national team program.South Korea won its opening match against Czech Republic, then lost its next two Group A matches to South Africa and Mexico.Read more from The Associated Press: Iran Coach Says U.S. Treatment At World Cup 'Really Terrible'SEATTLE ― The emotions were still raw for Iran players and their coach long after the final whistle of the team’s 1-1 draw against Egypt in their group-stage finale at Seattle Stadium on Friday night.Seeking to advance out of the group stage for the first time in their World Cup history, Iran were left to wait out the results of Saturday’s matches following a third-place finish in Group G. It appeared “The Melli” had solidified their place in the round of 32 with a stoppage-time score, only to have a VAR review disallow Shojae Khalilzadeh’s goal by a marginal offside call.It continued a turbulent World Cup experience for Iran, who moved their training camp base from Tucson, Ariz., to Tijuana, Mexico due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. They also have faced logistical issues traveling back and forth to the United States for their three group matches.Read more:World Cup Weather Watch: Jordan vs. ArgentinaHere's what fans can expect in Arlington, Texas, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Jordan and Argentina on June 27, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Algeria vs. AustriaHere's what fans can expect in Kansas City, Missouri, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Algeria and Austria on June 27, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Colombia vs. PortugalHere's what fans can expect in Miami Gardens, Florida, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Colombia and Portugal on June 27, 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: Democratic Republic of Congo vs. UzbekistanHere's what fans can expect in Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan on June 27, 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: Panama vs. EnglandHere's what fans can expect in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Panama and England on June 27, 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: Croatia vs. GhanaHere's what fans can expect in Philadelphia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Croatia and Ghana on June 27, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2U.S. Coach Rates His Star Player's Return Against Turkey In World CupINGLEWOOD, Calif. — Christian Pulisic returned to the field for the United States on Thursday night just in time to warm up for the World Cup games that really matter starting next week. 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