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:Team U.S.A. Stunned After Star Striker's Red Card ReversedFolarin Balogun of the United States men's national team is eligible to play in its round of 16 match against Belgium following the suspension of his one-game red card ban, USMNT announced Sunday.The 25-year-old forward is the leading scorer for the United States with three goals. He scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the 45th minute against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. However, he was tagged with a red card later in the 2-0 match, which triggered an automatic one-game suspension under FIFA World Cup rules.Members of the team found out about the suspension lift on their way to training Sunday morning."I think a lot of us thought it was AI at first," defender Chris Richards said. "I think we were really excited because we found out through social media; it was cool. There's a lot of lost question marks, but just very, very happy and excited overall."Read more at Reuters:Latest Live UpdatesBelgium Coach Compares FIFA's Red Card About-Face To 'April Fool's Day'SEATTLE, July 5 (Reuters) - Belgium coach Rudi Garcia strongly criticized FIFA's decision on Sunday to suspend a one-match ban for United States striker Folarin Balogun, saying the unprecedented move was against the spirit of the game."I didn't know that at the FIFA World Cup the fifth of July is now the first of April and it's April Fool's Day," Garcia told reporters ahead of Monday's last-16 clash.He referred to a statement issued by the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), which said it was "astonished" by FIFA's decision and was "investigating all potential options."Read more here:Norway's Haaland Leads Team To Quarterfinals With 2-1 Victory Over BrazilEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Erling Haaland headed in the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute and scored again before the end of regulation time, carrying Norway into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time with a 2-1 victory over Brazil on Sunday that showcased the young striker on soccer's biggest stage.Haaland, after being a non-factor for much of the afternoon and having limited touches, turned it on when it mattered most, getting the right side of his head on the ball after a perfect setup by Andreas Schjelderup, who entered at halftime.Schjelderup jumped on Haaland's back to celebrate the 6-foot-5 striker scoring his sixth goal at the World Cup and did so again after assisting on his seventh, tying Lionel Messi for the most in the tournament.Read more here:White House Reportedly Asked FIFA President To Review Controversial Red CardThe White House made a call to FIFA to ask Gianni Infantino to review Folarin Balogun’s red card, according to a person familiar with the call who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.The person did not have details to share about who specifically made the call and when.Trump celebrated the red card reversal shortly after it was announced, posting on his social media network “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”Read more here:Mexico Fans Make Some Noise Outside Team England's Hotel Before Big MatchFans of Mexico's FIFA World Cup soccer team were doing whatever they could to give their team an edge during Sunday's big match against England.Working to make the rival team get as little rest as possible, throngs of football lovers were seen partying, blaring music and setting off fireworks outside of England's hotel Saturday night and early Sunday morning in social media video making the rounds.Though there was a heavy police and security presence around the hotel, that didn't stop Mexican fans from banging drums, chanting and generally causing a ruckus well into the wee hours of game day. Luckily, no altercations were reported between authorities and soccer fans.Mexico and England will face off Sunday evening at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, where Team Mexico hasn't lost a match since September 2013.World Cup Weather Watch: Brazil vs. NorwayHere's what fans can expect in New Jersey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between the Brazil and Norway on July 5, 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: Paraguay vs. FranceHere's what fans can expect in Philadelphia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Paraguay and France on Saturday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2World Cup Weather Watch: Canada vs. MoroccoHere's what fans can expect in Houston for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Canada and Morocco on Saturday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2FIFA Reportedly Sticking To Schedule For Mexico v. England Game Despite Earlier Concerns Over WeatherNEW YORK, July 3 (Reuters) - FIFA will keep the scheduled kickoff time for Sunday’s World Cup last-16 match between Mexico and England, despite earlier concerns that severe weather could force changes, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters.Mexico v England at the Azteca Stadium will remain at 6 p.m. local time (0000 GMT), while Brazil v Norway in New York is expected to go ahead at 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT).FIFA had considered bringing forward the Mexico match because of the forecast conditions.Read more: FIFA Reportedly Mulling Kickoff Time Changes For Mexico-England And Brazil-NorwayMEXICO CITY/NEW YORK, July 3 (Reuters) - FIFA is considering changing the kick-off times of two World Cup last-16 matches on Sunday as severe weather, including a risk of flooding, in Mexico City threatens to disrupt the schedule, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.Mexico’s match against England at the Estadio Azteca could be brought forward because of the forecast conditions, one source said.Mexican media reported that the match would kick off at noon local time (1800 GMT), rather than its originally scheduled 6 p.m. start (0000 GMT).Any change to that fixture could in turn affect the timing of Brazil’s match against Norway in New York, currently scheduled for 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT), another source said.Read more:Germany 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."See All Updates