Despite Earlier Buzz, Trump Won’t Attend Key U.S. World Cup Match

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 beat Bosnia & Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32 and will face Belgium in Round of 16 on July 6.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.Check out the full games schedule on the FIFA website.Follow along with our coverage below:Despite Earlier Buzz, Trump Won’t Attend Key U.S. World Cup MatchPresident Donald Trump will not attend Monday's round of 16 World Cup match between the United States and Belgium at Seattle Stadium.A King County spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the county has been told neither Trump nor Vice President JD Vance will be in attendance.The United States men's national team advanced to Monday's match with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday night, just hours after Belgium staged a dramatic comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra time.Trump has attended several major sporting events while in office, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals last month. Kenmore Air had previously said the Federal Aviation Administration had notified the company last week of a potential presidential visit for Monday's World Cup match if the USMNT advanced, which could have affected the local seaplane company's ability to operate flights in the area.Trump has not attended any World Cup matches to date, although some Cabinet members have. That includes U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who attended the USMNT's 2-0 win over Australia in Seattle on June 19.FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended multiple group-stage matches in Seattle.According to the Seattle Times, neither Trump nor Vance have paid a visit to Seattle in their capacity as president or vice president.Seattle Stadium hosted four group stage matches, including Belgium's 1-1 draw with Egypt and the USMNT win over Australia. Belgium's victory over Senegal also came at Seattle Stadium, and the Red Devils' World Cup base camp is located just a few miles south at the Sounders FC Performance Center.Monday's 5 p.m. PT match at Seattle Stadium will be the last at the site in this tournament.Latest Live UpdatesGermany Has Iconic New Coach In Mind After World Cup MeltdownGermany's football association (DFB) will start talks with former Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp to take over as national team coach following the departure of Julian Nagelsmann, it said on Friday, as it looks to rebuild after a shock World Cup exit.Germany's defeat to Paraguay on penalties in the round of 32 marked a third consecutive disappointing World Cup campaign for the four-time champions after first-round exits in 2018 and 2022. They last lifted the trophy in 2014.The DFB board said it would start talks with Klopp, long seen as the ideal choice to succeed Nagelsmann."Regarding the appointment of a new head coach, the DFB leadership will now seek talks with Juergen Klopp. He has already signalled his general willingness to take on the role," the DFB said.The 59-year-old Klopp, currently a pundit for German television at the World Cup and global head of soccer at Red Bull, had indicated days ago that he would be open to such a proposal.He is also considered the most popular choice among Germany fans, but caused a stir earlier in the World Cup, and had to apologise, for hinting Nagelsmann's time on the Germany bench could be running out.One of the most successful German club coaches, Klopp, who won domestic league and Cup titles with Borussia Dortmund, was in charge of Liverpool from 2015 to 2024, leading the Merseyside club to almost every major honour during his nine-year spell, including Champions League and Premier League triumphs.Klopp is known for his direct, and at times vocal, communication, a stark opposite to Nagelsmann's style, which was sometimes perceived as abrasive or arrogant. NEW STARTNagelsmann, who immediately after the loss to Paraguay had said he was ready to stay onand fulfil a contract running to 2028, said the World Cup exit now required a new start."My top priority has always been the team's success. After such a bitter disappointment, they deserve the chance for a fresh start," Nagelsmann said in a DFB statement."A special thank you also goes to the fans. You carried us, you trusted us, you gave us energy, even during difficult times. It truly pains me that we disappointed you and couldn't give you any more memorable nights of football at this World Cup."Nagelsmann, 38, who took charge in 2023 and became the youngest coach to lead a team in a World Cup knockout match in four decades, had said after the defeat that he was "not someone to say 'I'm stepping down' just because we were eliminated."His team had reached the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 on home soil in his first tournament in charge.After the team's return to Germany, the DFB's decision to part ways with Nagelsmann came following a three-hour meeting on Thursday."The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023," DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement."He is characterised by a high level of commitment and extraordinary ambition. Julian Nagelsmann is also an extremely responsible and sincere person whom we all value."Slick Switzerland Sweep Past Algeria Into World Cup Last 16Switzerland's Breel Embolo struck early and Dan Ndoye added a second after the break as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Algeria on Thursday and into the last 16 at the World Cup, where they will meet Colombia or Ghana back in Vancouver next week.The victory was Switzerland's first in the knockout stage since 1938, and they will fancy their chances in the next round after a tactical masterclass orchestrated by coach Murat Yakin.They shifted formations and laid traps for Algeria before hitting them with two sucker-punch goals that decided a contest short on excitement, but full of intrigue and nuance.Pitted against a familiar foe in Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic, who had seven years at the helm of Switzerland between 2014 and 2021, Yakin set his team up to absorb early pressure and strike on the break, and that is exactly what they did."We couldn't underestimate Algeria and we had to be clinical, that clinical finishing made the difference today," striker Embolo said."It gave us the energy we needed in the first half. We could have been even more ruthless in the second half. We played with great maturity. We have to stay humble and keep working."SWISS GRAB EARLY LEAD THROUGH EMBOLOSwitzerland's opener was as simple as it was effective.They won the ball in their own half and sent 20-year-old Johan Manzambi off down the left on the counter, and he squared for Embolo to steer the ball into the net from close range in the 10th minute.The lead secured, Switzerland shifted to a five-man midfield out of possession, snuffing out the space and challenging the Algerians to play through them, but Petkovic's charges struggled to break their opponents down.Algeria's best chance came in first-half stoppage time when Ibrahim Maza dragged a snap shot wide of the near post, one of few efforts on goal they managed in the game.The Swiss struck again almost immediately after the break, attacking down the right before a half-hearted clearance from Rafik Belghali ended up at the feet of Ndoye and the winger placed his shot beyond the dive of goalkeeper Luca Zidane.Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez could have pulled a goal back moments later but he fired straight at a defender from a central position, summing up a frustrating evening for the Algerians.With Granit Xhaka steering Switzerland's defensive shape, they went back to their original game-plan of ceding possession and launching lightning-fast counter-attacks, but the Algerians were wary of committing players forward lest they concede again.Despite the sell-out crowd at BC Place, the last 15 minutes were played in virtual silence, only broken by cheers and then groans as Swiss substitute Fabian Rieder somehow contrived to miss with the goal at his mercy, scuffing his shot back across goal where a grateful Zidane was able to avert the danger.Fortunately for Switzerland it had no bearing on the outcome as they celebrated moving into a last-16 clash on Tuesday.Ndoye capped a superb performance with his well-taken goal, revealing he had waited a long time for it."Before the World Cup, I hadn't played for a long time, so I had to get back into the swing of things. I was really looking for that goal, and sometimes when you look for it too much, it doesn't come," the Nottingham Forest said."Today, I started playing by telling myself, 'Just play the way you know how, don't overthink it,' and it came naturally. Our strength is knowing how to play as a team."Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez announced that the game was his last for the national team."The goal was to progress, and I think it was a game that was within our reach. We conceded two goals on mistakes, and at this level, we pay dearly for that," he said.Asked if Thursday's defeat would be his last match at the World Cup, the 35-year-old went one step further."It's my last appearance even with the national team. It was my last game," he said.Germany Coach OUT After World Cup DisasterGermany coach Julian Nagelsmann has been asked to step down after the team's early World Cup exit, the country's football association DFB said on Friday, saying the 38-year-old had agreed to go following talks with senior German soccer officials."The German Football Association expressly thanks Julian Nagelsmann for his work since September 2023. He is characterised by a high level of commitment and extraordinary ambition. Julian Nagelsmann is also an extremely responsible and sincere person whom we all value," DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.'Brutal' World Cup Weather Warning: Argentina vs. Cabo VerdeHere's what fans can expect in Miami for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Argentina and Cabo Verde on Friday, 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: Colombia vs. GhanaHere's what fans can expect in Kansas City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Colombia and Ghana on Friday, 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: Australia vs. EgyptHere's what fans can expect in Dallas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Australia and Egypt on Friday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2Norway’s World Cup Shirt Is The Hottest Fashion Item In The Country Right NowSitting beside FIFA President Gianni Infantino as her side beat Ivory Coast at the World Cup on Tuesday, Norway football federation president Lise Klaveness was wearing the hottest fashion item of the summer back home -- the team's red shirt.Klaveness wore the jersey under her blazer as she watched Erling Haaland's late goal send Norway through to a last-16 clash with Brazil on Sunday, but problems with deliveries have meant thousands of supporters back home are still scrambling to buy the shirt."There has been such a great demand for kits, and I think we have all felt that," Klaveness said following their win. "Whether it is demand that has surprised or the production of shirts (that is the problem), we'll have to find out."Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reported that shops lucky enough to get hold of the popular kits had long queues, and that their shelves were being cleared in minutes by fans eager to get behind their team as they take part in their first men's World Cup since 1998."It's a completely crazy demand, it's the sickest thing I've ever seen, it's fantastic," Oslo sports store manager Anders Lilleberg told TV2."It's sad to not be able to offer everyone who wants a Norway shirt one - after all, we want to offer as many football items as possible that our customers want - but you can only sell the ones you have."Norway wore the red home shirt against Iraq and France at the World Cup, a white kit against Ivory Coast and a black jersey against Senegal.With elite striker Haaland leading the line, there is also a huge demand from outside the country."It's a luxury problem, but a luxury problem we have to solve," Klaveness said.Egypt Still Sweating On Mohamed Salah Ahead Of World Cup KnockoutEgypt coach Hossam Hassan remains uncertain whether forward Mohamed Salah will start Friday's World Cup last-32 clash against Australia at Dallas Stadium, as the 34-year-old continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.Salah returned to partial training on Wednesday after sustaining the strain in the 1-1 draw with Iran last Friday as the Egyptians picked up the point they needed to progress to the knockout rounds for the first time."Salah is a passionate player and he is very much looking forward to making his own contribution," Hassan said."I'm not going to run any risk unless I'm 100 percent sure he is fit and raring to go tomorrow."We look forward to him playing tomorrow, but we're not sure if he's going to be in the starting lineup."Salah has scored once at the tournament so far, netting his side's second goal as the Egyptians battled back to hand New Zealand a 3-1 defeat in the group phase.He asked to be substituted with 33 minutes remaining against the Iranians and his battle to be fit has overshadowed his team's preparations for one of the biggest games in their history."He is one of the best players globally and I'm very lucky to work with him and I'm very happy with our work together so far," said Hassan."I have managed to deploy him tactically and technically speaking and he has surpassed the capabilities that people had expected of him so far."Tony Popovic's Australia side are expected to present the Egyptians with a physical challenge but Hassan is confident his team will be well prepared to deal with that test."On the African continent we have vast experience with tall players, comparable to the Australia side we're going to face tomorrow," he said."It's the same as New Zealand, Belgium and Iran. We have dealt so far with such conditions..."Every team has its weaknesses and strengths and we're well prepared to deal with whatever we're going to face."(Diego) Maradona wasn't the tallest of players, (Lionel) Messi isn't either. It's not about tall or short. We're not playing rugby here, we're playing football. Not American football, but football and we're fit and raring to go."Team USA Just Pulled Off A World Cup Ratings RecordThe United States' World Cup knockout victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday was the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in U.S. history, according to Fox Sports.Fox reported a record-breaking average viewership of 24.429 million, citing Nielsen preliminary data. The peak audience clocked in at 31.883 million during the 9:45-10 p.m. ET window as the match neared its conclusion.The co-hosts of this year's tournament, the United States played the round of 32 match in Santa Clara, Calif. It helped that the match began in prime time on the East Coast at 8 p.m. ET.With goals by Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, the U.S. beat Bosnia 2-0 to win a World Cup knockout stage for the first time since a round of 16 victory in 2002. They advanced to face Belgium on Monday in Seattle.The average viewership came close to the numbers for the New York Knicks' title-clinching Game 5 win against the San Antonio Spurs last month, which posted 24.5 million viewers on average. Similarly, Game 7 of the World Series last fall, in which the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays, put up an average of almost 26 million.Spain Goalkeeper Unai Simón Breaks 36-Year World Cup RecordSpain goalkeeper Unai Simón has the longest shutout streak in World Cup history, breaking a 36-year-old record while blanking Austria in a 3-0 victory Thursday for his fourth consecutive clean sheet in this World Cup.Simón hasn't allowed a goal in 519 consecutive minutes across the past two World Cups. He broke the record set in 1990 by famed Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga, who recorded 517 straight scoreless minutes and five consecutive clean sheets in his home World Cup.The 29-year-old Athletic Bilbao mainstay isn't the most famous goalkeeper in this competition — or even on his own team — but Simón's outstanding play at the back of Spain's superb defense has launched him into the World Cup record books.Spain has yet to allow a goal at this World Cup, and its Basque backstop has only had to make four saves — none against Austria, which got none of its five shots on target.“I feel proud of him,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said. “I feel like he is a member of my family. I’m very happy for him.”Simón has been Spain's first choice in net for most of the past half-decade, keeping the job despite roster competition from David Raya and Joan Garcia, the championship-winning goalkeepers in two of Europe's four biggest leagues. Simón has spent his club career on smaller stages with Bilbao, which only reached the Champions League for the first time in his career last season.Simón owes his international success to his stellar results and to his tight bond with De La Fuente, who has largely resisted calls to give more playing time to his goalkeeping options with more accomplished club careers.Simón and De La Fuente have been bonded since 2015, when the coach and his 18-year-old keeper won the European Under-19 championship in Greece. They stayed together in Spain's youth system and then reunited in early 2023, when De La Fuente took over the senior national team and promptly embarked on one of the most successful stretches in Spain's proud history.Under De La Fuente, Spain has just one loss in 37 competitive matches, going unbeaten in its last 35 straight — a streak which includes a loss on penalties to Portugal in the 2025 Nations League. Spain has won the 2023 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship with Simón in net, and now it has won a World Cup knockout match for the first time in 16 years.Simón and Spain allowed just three goals in four matches at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but still went home early. Simón's shutout streak started during Spain's 2-1 loss to Japan, and it continued through a scoreless draw with Morocco, which ultimately knocked out Spain by converting three of its four penalties against Simón.In North America, nobody has been able to beat Simón — and only Uruguay has managed more than one shot on goal among Spain's four opponents.“(Simón) played a very big role in the victory, but it’s not just about individuals,” De La Fuente said after beating Austria. “It’s about the whole group coming together for that defensive effort.”Early in the second half against Austria, Simón also surpassed the Spanish record scoreless streak posted by Iker Casillas across the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.His play has been more than enough to hold off two accomplished challengers as Spain moves forward to the round of 16.Raya is widely considered one of the world's best goalkeepers after winning three consecutive Golden Glove awards at Arsenal for leading the Premier League in clean sheets. He also backstopped the Gunners to their first Premier League title since 2004 and the Champions League final this year — only to go back to a reserve role for Spain.García is one of the world's top young talents at the position after seizing Barca's starting job last season, but he's also likely to spend this World Cup as a spectator.See All Updates