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 but lost 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16.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:FIFA Defends World Cup Referee Criticized By TrumpFIFA threw its full support behind Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after U.S. President Donald Trump questioned his integrity on Monday following the red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun that sparked a controversy at the World Cup.Balogun was sent off by Claus after a VAR check in the last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina for planting his boot into the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.However, FIFA later suspended Balogun's red-card ban. Trump said he had asked for the decision to be reviewed, describing Claus as "a little bit suspect if you check his past" without elaborating."FIFA recognises Raphael Claus as one of the world's leading professional referees and a valued member of Team One (FIFA's elite group of referees) at the FIFA World Cup," FIFA said in a statement."Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism and integrity."FIFA said Claus was not available for comment, in line with its policy of referees not speaking to the media during the tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said referees must be respected."Once more, I reiterate that we must respect the referees and respect the rules that govern our game," he said."It is very simple and cannot ever be overstated - without referees, there is no football."Claus has officiated in over 600 matches in his career and Pierluigi Collina, FIFA's Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the Referees Committee, emphasised the organisation's faith in the 46-year-old."Raphael Claus is refereeing at his second FIFA World Cup having been with us in Qatar in 2022," Collina said."He is an experienced and highly respected referee and we maintain full confidence in him as a trusted match official."Balogun was eventually allowed to start Monday's last-16 clash with Belgium and was named in the starting lineup by coach Mauricio Pochettino.Latest Live UpdatesTrump’s Infamous Post Comes Back To Haunt Him After U.S. World Cup LossDonald Trump was mercilessly trolled on social media after the United States’ World Cup dream ended with a 4-1 defeat in the Round of 16 to Belgium on Monday.Read more here:France World Cup Star Fires Back At Paraguayan Senator's Racist AttackFrance striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a “despicable woman” on Monday after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay’s elimination from the World Cup.Read more here:Belgium World Cup Star Suffered 'Serious Injury' Against U.S.Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said Amadou Onana suffered a "serious injury" in Monday's 4-1 victory over the United States that will almost certainly keep the midfielder out of Friday's World Cup quarterfinal match against Spain.Onana went down in the 19th minute while marking the US's Christian Pulisic and grabbed his right knee in obvious pain. The 24-year-old attempted to continue but was replaced two minutes later by Hans Vanaken, who went on to score the Red Devils' third goal.Garcia said after the match that Onana's injury was serious and called it the "one dark cloud over tonight."Onana had played a significant role in Belgium's quick start at Seattle Stadium, consistently disrupting the United States' midfield connections and helping to execute the Red Devils' plan to create a high-pressing game plan.He was seen on crutches and wearing a brace on his right knee during Belgium's post-match celebration on the pitch."It's not good news for him as an individual or for us as a team," Garcia said. "I do have the feeling that he is out."U.S. Coach Delivers Brutally Honest Verdict After Crashing Out Of World CupUnited States coach Mauricio Pochettino said his side failed to show their true level in a crushing 4-1 defeat by Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday, as he declined to blame off-field distractions for the hosts' exit.Roared on by a fervent home crowd in Seattle and buoyed by impressive wins in the group stage and round of 32, the U.S. had entered the match with belief they could upset a Belgium team many considered vulnerable.Instead, Pochettino's side produced their most hesitant display of the tournament and were punished by a clinical Belgian team. "We didn't show our real quality as a team," Pochettino told a press conference. "We never connected with the game. Belgium were better than us, and that's it. It was a very bad day. It wasn't our day, collectively or individually. In a tournament like the World Cup, when that happens in a knockout stage, you are out and you need to go home."The U.S. briefly appeared to have found a foothold when Malik Tillman scored to make it 1-1, but Belgium quickly regained control, leaving Pochettino frustrated by his team's inability to build on the equaliser. "Even when we scored, in the next action we conceded," he said. "Normally you cannot concede in that moment."Pochettino rejected suggestions that controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's availability, after FIFA suspended his red-card ban and Belgium's appeal was dismissed, had affected the team's performance."We were not good enough today. We don't need to find excuses," he said. "All that was happening around was around, but it wasn't a situation that affected us."Pochettino's contract expires after the World Cup, and he said no decision had been made on whether he would continue."Now is a moment to rest a little bit, to think, to have conversations and then see what the decision is from the federation and from us," he said.Despite the heavy defeat, Pochettino defended the team's progress, saying the U.S. had taken major steps in the past year."We need to keep improving," he said. "But I am proud. I think we settled the principles for the future."Freak Celebration Injury Rules England Star Out Of Rest Of World CupEngland's Jordan Henderson will be sidelined for the remainder of the World Cup, Sky Sports reported on Monday, as he requires surgery on the freak arm injury he suffered during celebrations after their 3-2 last-16 victory over Mexico.The experienced Brentford midfielder landed awkwardly when he slipped while climbing over a barrier at the Azteca Stadium on Sunday, and video footage showed his forearm buckling.After leaving the field on a stretcher and receiving oxygen, Henderson was taken to hospital in Mexico City and did not travel back to England's training base in Kansas City with the rest of Thomas Tuchel's squad.A member of England's medical staff stayed behind with him.The 36-year-old Henderson was an unused substitute against Mexico, but the former Liverpool captain is among the squad's most respected figures, providing leadership, experience and a calming influence.England's Football Association has not said anything officially about Henderson's participation in the rest of the tournament.Portugal Coach Quits After World Cup Loss To SpainSaying Portugal's national team needs "a new voice," manager Roberto Martinez confirmed he is stepping down after the 1-0 loss to Spain on Monday in their round of 16 match in Arlington, Texas.Martinez has coached Portugal since 2023 and planned to leave his post after the team's run to what he hoped was a World Cup championship. His contract was due to expire after the tournament."Yes, this is my last game with the national team," said Martinez, a native of Spain who turns 53 on July 13. "I'm proud. I've had 45 games, and I felt welcomed in Portugal and loved. It's a memory I'll take with me always."It was a pleasure, a source of pride and responsibility. It's hard, but it's the end of a cycle and in the context it makes absolute sense."Martinez said, "It's important to have a new voice now" and added that it was fair for Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca, who was appointed last year, to be able to choose his own manager."I want to thank the president and the board for their support and for providing me and my coaching staff with all the necessary conditions," Martinez said. "I appreciate their strength and support, but it is the end of a cycle."Portugal is a co-host of the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Morocco and is automatically qualified.Martinez managed Belgium's national team from 2016-22 and also coached Everton, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic. He led Portugal to the 2024 European Championship quarterfinals, then the UEFA Nations League title in June 2025.Portugal finished second in this World Cup in Group K, going 1-0-2 (5 points) with a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan and draws against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1-1) and group winner Colombia (0-0).Last Thursday, Portugal held off Croatia 2-1 in the round of 32 before elimination on Monday, which also marked the final World Cup game for legendary attacker Cristiano Ronaldo, 41."We didn't fail," Martinez said. "We lost a game against a team that's one of the favorites. We showed incredible individual talent. Winning or losing is about details in the big games, with big teams. ... You fail when you don't try to win, and we tried to win until the last minute."Martinez said to those thinking Ronaldo should have been subbed for late in the game that he was physically capable of playing at least 90 minutes and delivering the needed goal."This is not the time to look for anything beyond the fact that we are talking about a football icon," Martinez said of Ronaldo."There aren't many Cristiano Ronaldos. I will forever appreciate what he tried to do in this World Cup, because his dream was to win it. He was an incredible example of a captain, both on a footballing level and a human level."His impact inside the dressing room and within the group of players is something the entire coaching staff and all the players will carry with us forever. He is an example of football, of an athlete and of the human being behind the athlete."'Overturn This': Belgian Team Trolls Trump And FIFA After 4-1 Victory Over U.S.The Belgian World Cup team, known as the Belgian Red Devils, trolled FIFA and, seemingly, President Donald Trump, following Monday's 4-1 victory over the U.S. men's national team. "Overturn this, #USABEL," the Red Devils' official account wrote on X alongside pictures of its team members celebrating. The post referred to FIFA's decision to overturn the red card that was issued to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun during the team's match against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. The red card would have forced Balogun to sit out Monday's match. However, Trump confirmed on Monday that he called FIFA President Gianni Infantino over the weekend and asked him to take a second look. “I asked for a review because I didn’t think it was a foul,” Trump said on Monday. FIFA overturned the red card, which allowed Balogun to play. Belgium's appeal to FIFA seeking to reinstate the foul was denied. Belgium will take on Spain on Friday in Los Angeles. Belgium Dominates U.S. 4-1 To Reach World Cup Quarterfinals After Days Of ControversyThe United States’ hopes for a deep World Cup run at home ended when Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted on another goal, helping Belgium expose the Americans’ defensive liabilities in a 4-1 win Monday night that earned a quarterfinal berth.While the U.S. was boosted by the presence of star forward Folarin Balogun, whose one-game red-card suspension was controversially lifted by FIFA, American defenders were at fault in a pair of first-half goals and a gaffe by goalkeeper Matt Freese gave the Red Devils a third early in the second half.Second-half substitute Romelu Lukaku added Belgium’s final goal in the third minute of stoppage time. The Red Devils advanced to meet Spain at Inglewood, California, on Friday.Read more from the Associated Press here: Belgium Nabs Early Lead Over U.S. In Much Anticipated Game After Trump InvolvementThe much anticipated round of 16 match between the United States and Belgium kicked off in Seattle on Monday, with Belgium grabbing an early lead in the contest, as striker Charles De Ketelaere scored just nine minutes into the contest. The match is being played under a specter of a major controversy involving President Donald Trump's involvement in getting a red card ruling reversed for the U.S. team's leading scorer. Trump confirmed on Monday that he asked FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the red card ruling that would have suspended U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, who was issued the red card during the U.S.'s victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday. Spain 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: See All Updates