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:European Soccer Body Utterly Shreds FIFA's Trump-Involved Balogun DecisionEuropean soccer body UEFA has lashed out at FIFA's decision to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban in the World Cup, after U.S. President Donald Trump called FIFA to ask it to review the case, saying world soccer's governing body had "crossed a red line" and undermined the integrity of the game."We express our disbelief at such an unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision," UEFA said in a statement on Monday."When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined."Reuters has reached out to FIFA for comment.Trump had asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review Balogun's red card, which would have automatically suspended the player from Monday's round of 16 clash with Belgium.FIFA suspended the implementation of the ban for a probationary period of one year, however, without rescinding the red card.The stunning move has thrust FIFA's disciplinary process into the spotlight and prompted an angry response from Belgium.Latest Live Updates‘This Is Our Sport, Not Theirs’: World Soccer Furious Over Trump World Cup MeddlingFIFA suspended United States striker Folarin Balogun’s automatic red-card ban on Sunday, clearing him to face Belgium in Monday’s World Cup last-16 clash, after U.S. President Donald Trump called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the decision.The move has generated outrage among the soccer community worldwide.Read more here:U.S. Faces Belgium In World Cup Showdown As Trump-Balogun Controversy SwirlsThe U.S. faces Belgium in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Lumen Field, which has been renamed Seattle Stadium for the tournament.At stake is a place in the quarterfinals — and a high-profile clash with either Spain or Portugal.While preparations continue on the pitch, controversy has swirled off it following reports that President Donald Trump controversially intervened to urge FIFA to suspend U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's red-card ban, clearing him to play against Belgium.Check out the weather forecast for the game.World Cup Weather Watch: USA vs. BelgiumHere's what fans can expect in Seattle for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between the U.S. and Belgium on Monday, 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: Portugal vs. SpainHere's what fans can expect in Dallas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup game between Portugal and Spain on Monday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2Racist Commentary About Black Players Comes Under Fresh Scrutiny At World CupBelgium coach Rudi Garcia’s description of Senegal as one of “those teams” that “tend to lose their tactical structure towards the end of the match” has reignited scrutiny of racially coded language at the World Cup.Read more on Reuters:Belgium Granted Right To Appeal FIFA's Trump-Backed Folarin Balogun DecisionBelgium has been granted the right to appeal FIFA's decision to suspend the one-game ban to United States national team striker Folarin Balogun, according to a report by The Athletic.Balogun had been slated to miss Monday's round of 16 match after being issued a direct red card, which carried an automatic one-match suspension. However, FIFA announced on Sunday that the one-game ban had been suspended.The ruling triggered widespread debate as well as a statement from the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) that said it was exploring "all potential options."According to The Athletic, the RBFA formally wrote to FIFA to appeal the matter, which was granted. The RBFA and U.S. Soccer were reportedly asked to make submissions by 5 a.m. PT -- exactly 12 hours before the scheduled start of the match at Seattle Stadium.A member of the FIFA appeals committee has been selected to hear the case, according to the report. The member is not associated with a federation in either UEFA or CONCAFAF.Belgium have not been guaranteed that a ruling will be made before Monday's match.Balogun is currently eligible to play and is expected to start. The 25-year-old has a team-best three goals during this World Cup, including what turned out to be the game-winning goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina last Wednesday.However, Balogun was later issued a red card following a VAR review. He was slated to have to sit out against Belgium until Sunday's surprising ruling by FIFA.President Donald Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask him to review the matter, while secretary of commerce Howard Lutnick and other White House officials were also involved. Trump praised the decision in a Truth Social post, writing, "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!"A red card or suspension officially cannot be appealed. FIFA, however, posted this message to its website Sunday about its use of the rule book in the case: "By operation of Article 27 FDC, the implementation of the automatic match suspension for USA player Folarin Balogun is suspended for a probationary period of one (1) year."U.S. Soccer issued its own statement in response to the action: "We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to complete tomorrow."Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans."The RBFA countered with a lengthy statement from its football federation decrying FIFA's decision and citing other pieces of the disciplinary code and competition regulations that made red-card decisions sound final."In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament," the statement concluded, "the RBFA is investigating all potential options."Belgium coach Rudi Garcia began his pre-match press conference Sunday afternoon by declaring he didn't know the fifth of July had turned into April Fool's Day."A lot of our thoughts and opinions are in the release," Garcia said. "We're not defending the national team or the federation, we are defending football."Before the start of the World Cup last month, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo faced a three-match suspension, with the final two potentially keeping him out of group-stage matches. Instead, he sat one match, with the other two suspended and converted to a one-year probation period.U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino defended FIFA's decision to suspend Balogun's ban."For me, there isn't much debate here, though I do understand Belgium's perspective and Rudi's point of view," Pochettino told reporters Sunday. "I understand why people conflate issues -- people always do, because there's often an agenda to mix things up -- but in this case, I don't think it's right."If anyone was harmed in this whole situation, it was the United States. Can anyone justify the idea that we weren't punished? I mean, playing 30 or 35 minutes a man down in a World Cup knockout match? It's not as if we're benefiting. No, no. There's no extraordinary gain we're getting out of all this. I mean, ultimately, we aren't victims, but we aren't the villains of this story either."Mexico Coach Steps Down After World Cup DefeatJavier Aguirre's run as manager of Mexico's World Cup team ended with the 3-2 loss to England on Sunday night, he confirmed after the round of 16 match in Mexico City.Aguirre, 67, said he was resigning after his third stint as national team coach. He had guided El Tri to the round of 16 in 2002 and 2010, and was hired in July 2024 to bring success as Mexico serves as one of three host countries in 2026 with the United States and Canada.The path for succession already was in place for Aguirre's assistant coach, Mexico legend Rafa Marquez, Mexican soccer officials had confirmed earlier this year. Aguirre's contract runs through the end of this month, according to Transfermarkt.com.Aguirre, a native of Mexico City, played midfielder for the national team at the 1986 home World Cup -- when Mexico last reached the quarterfinals -- before continuing in the sport as an accomplished coach.Mexico impressed at this World Cup by winning Group A with a 3-0-0 record (9 points) and a six-goal differential. They posted three shutouts in the group stage, beating South Africa (2-0), South Korea (1-0) and the Czech Republic (3-0) before blanking Ecuador 2-0 in the round of 32 on Tuesday.With Mexico eliminated on Sunday, the focus will turn to the 2030 World Cup and the vision of Marquez, 47, who scored 17 goals in 147 games for his national team. He was captain of five World Cup teams (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018).The former center back and midfielder went from star player to a front office position in Mexico before turning to coaching in Spain. He was coaching Barcelona Athletic's B team when he was offered a spot on Aguirre's staff on the national team.England Star Hospitalized With 'Serious' Injury While Celebrating World Cup Game WinEngland midfielder Jordan Henderson suffered a wrist injury during the team's post-game celebration following a 3-2 win over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 on Sunday night that manager Thomas Tuchel called "serious."Henderson was seen on video hopping over an advertising board at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City as England headed towards their fans at one end of the stadium to sing "Wonderwall" by Oasis, which has become tradition for the Three Lions. However, Henderson's hand slipped and he was in clear pain after trying to break his fall. Multiple teammates immediately called for medical assistance and Henderson was later stretchered off the field."He is at the moment in the hospital, it is quite a serious injury," Tuchel told reporters Sunday night. "It doesn't fit with the rest of the evening. I don't know the procedure."Henderson, 36, became the first England man to appear in four different World Cups when he came on against Panama during the group stage. He did not get into Sunday's game, but was shown a yellow card during the second half for actions on the sideline.The Football Association confirmed that Henderson was going to stay in Mexico City on Sunday night with an England staff member while the remainder of the team and staff returned to their training base in Kansas City.England will face Norway in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.Trump Hails World Cup Star: 'A GREAT Player!!!'Donald Trump hailed England's talismanic striker Harry Kane in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday."Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!!" the president wrote after Kane propelled England to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico to secure qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.Donald Trump’s FIFA Intervention Comes With 1 Very Awkward TwistCritics have pointed to the glaring irony of Donald Trump’s intervention in the 2026 FIFA World Cup to help get U.S. star Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension overturned ahead of Monday’s Round of 16 clash with Belgium.Read more here:See All Updates