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: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.Latest Live UpdatesSpain Sends Portugal Packing With Late Game Goal Ending Ronaldo's World Cup CareerMikel Merino scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, and Spain beat Portugal 1-0 on Monday to end the World Cup career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.Merino had just been knocked down, and a foul was called. While Portugal’s Bernardo Silva argued, Merino played the ball back in, ran toward the goal and easily beat goalkeeper Diogo Costa after taking a pass from Ferran Torres.Spain advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning its only World Cup title in 2010. La Roja will play either the United States or Belgium on Friday in Inglewood, California.Ronaldo was trying to get Portugal to the quarterfinals in a second consecutive tournament for the first time. Instead, the career on soccer’s biggest stage is over for the all-time leader in international goals (146) and appearances (233).Merino didn’t enter until the 85th minute, and his heads-up play showed some of the versatility that helped Arsenal win its first Premier League title in more than 20 years this spring. He had been doubtful to make Spain’s squad because of injuries that also impacted his Premier League season.Read more from the Associated Press here: French Football Federation Asks For Yellow Card AppealFrance's football federation has asked FIFA to rescind a yellow card that player Michael Olise received during the team's Saturday game against Paraguay.Standout winger Olise was flagged following a clash with Paraguay's Matias Galarza. While Galarza crumbled to the ground holding his face, video review showed Olise had only grabbed his shirt.France is hoping to fend off any chance of Olise getting barred from a potential World Cup semifinal, which could happen if he collects a yellow card during Thursday's quarterfinals game against Morocco.France's yellow card appeal comes after President Donald Trump successfully lobbied for the U.S. Mens' Soccer Team to have a red card, and one game suspension, against star striker Folarin Balogun reconsidered.Trump, who is close with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, admitted calling Infantino to request the review during an Oval Office event on Monday morning, but also claimed he "nothing to do with the decision."Read more here:Mamdani Weighs Into U.S. Red Card Furor By Posting Classic Soccer MemeNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday weighed into the controversy surrounding U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s World Cup red card by posting a classic soccer meme.The Democratic Party politician, a big fan of English team Arsenal, had yet to comment on the furor that has engulfed the tournament in the last 24 hours, a point raised on X by a Politico reporter.Mamdani responded to that post with a clip of soccer coach José Mourinho from 2014, when the then-Chelsea boss tried not to comment on a disputed refereeing decision.“I prefer really not to speak,” Mourinho says in the gif posted by Mamdani. “If I speak — big trouble. Big trouble. And I don't want to be in big trouble.”In one of his previews ahead of each World Cup game affecting New York City, Mamdani said Balogun was “cruelly sent off” against Bosnia-Herzegovina last Wednesday.“VAR giveth and VAR taketh away,” he added, referring to the video assistant referee that determined the Monaco striker deserved to be dismissed from the game.The red card also meant Balogun was set to be suspended for the USMNT's Monday quarterfinals clash with Belgium — that was until FIFA ruled to let him play amid interventions from President Donald Trump.On Monday, Trump admitted he urged FIFA to reverse the decision, saying the punishment was “very unfair” and the referee responsible is “very suspect.”‘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.1/22/2European 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.Racist 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."See All Updates