The 2026 FIFA World Cup is deep into the knock-out stages — and HuffPost is live-blogging every twist and turn as the final looms at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19.Even before a ball was kicked, the 23rd edition of the tournament was engulfed in controversy: from Iran’s tough journey to the competition amid Donald Trump’s war, to the president’s close relationship with FIFA’s Peace Prize-awarding President Gianni Infantino. That’s not to mention Trump’s travel bans keeping some fans and officials out and the fury over soaring ticket prices. Once the soccer actually began, much of the concern was eased — at least for a short while. But the introduction of hydration breaks, seen as a vehicle for TV advertising, prompted booing from fans and questions about the fundamentals of the game being undermined. And Trump’s intervention in an effort to get a red card reversed for U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, which was fruitless, as the Americans were soundly defeated by Belgium, will likely leave a stain on this World Cup.Check out the full games schedule on the FIFA website.Follow along with our coverage below:Egypt Files Formal Complaint With FIFA After Loss To ArgentinaThe Egyptian Football Association (EFA) filed a formal complaint with FIFA on Wednesday, calling for the organization to investigate referee François Letexier following the team's 3-2 loss to Argentina on Tuesday; multiple outlets reported. "Hany Abo Rida, president of the Egyptian Football Association, filed a complaint with FIFA demanding an investigation into French referee Francois Letexier after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the officiating team and double standards that caused Egypt to lose the match and exit the World Cup," the federation said in a statement on Wednesday.Controversy began to swirl before the match even reached halftime, after a goal from Egypt's Mostafa Ziko was called back by Letexier after a review determined Argentina's Lisandro Martínez had been fouled during the lead-up. Despite a late 2-0 lead, Argentina stormed back in the final minutes to win the match 3-2. However, Egypt's biggest issue was the officiating in the moments leading up to Enzo Fernández's eventual game-winning goal. The EFA argues that Hamdy Fathy was pulled down inside the penalty area by Alexis Mac Allister and that the team should've been awarded a penalty kick. EFA said the referees failed to properly review the play. Read more from The Guardian here: U.S. Soccer Greats Tear Into Star Player Pulisic After World Cup FlopU.S. soccer legends have torn into American star Christian Pulisic after his team's disappointing exit from the home World Cup.The Pennsylvania native, currently at AC Milan, is seen by most as the USMNT's best player, with a stellar reputation earned from a decade of playing against the top teams in Europe.But his World Cup was underwhelming as the player nicknamed “Captain America” finished the tournament with no goals.The 27-year-old could only watch the end of Monday night's error-filled 4-1 loss to Belgium from the bench after being replaced because of an injury.“I just twisted my ankle and just sprained my ankle. It's just frustrating to end like that, of course. But now I've got time to rest, so it'll be OK,” Pulisic told Fox Sports after the round of 16 exit.It was the comment about his injury that angered women's team great Carli Lloyd.“You rest when your playing career is over. Period,” the former USWNT star wrote Tuesday on X.The barb followed her earlier scathing comments when she appeared as an analyst on Fox Sports in the immediate aftermath of the Belgium defeat.“I gotta be honest, I was a bit disappointed with Christian Pulisic,” Lloyd said. “I think whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game and really the whole World Cup.” Other big names from U.S. soccer's past also ripped Pulisic, notably Landon Donovan and Tim Howard on their "Unfiltered Soccer" podcast, which was released Tuesday.A frustrated Donovan, who previously criticized Pulisic for sitting out of the Gold Cup last summer, said: “It's just disappointing. I was waiting for a moment from him, something special, something spectacular, and it just didn't happen.”He added that Pulisic is the man “when the games are easy” but less so “in the big moments, in the big games.”“He is who he is at this point,” the Fox Sports analyst added. Howard, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, was more cryptic."I think he's a nice footballer," he said. “I still think he's the best player on the team. Outside of that, you'd have to ask me very direct questions, to which I can give you very direct answers. But ultimately, he's a nice footballer.”You rest when your playing career is over. Period.— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) July 8, 2026Belgian Prime Minister Slips In Subtle Trump-World Cup Zing During NATO MeetingBelgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever appeared to take a subtle swipe at Donald Trump during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, over the president’s highly controversial intervention in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Read more here:Egypt Shreds World Cup Officiating After Heartbreaking ExitThe Egyptian Football Association on Wednesday criticised refereeing decisions in Egypt's dramatic 3-2 World Cup round-of-16 defeat by Argentina, saying it would not remain silent over what it described as the improper use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.Egypt appeared on course for one of the biggest upsets of the tournament when they led defending champions Argentina 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining on Tuesday, only to concede three late goals and crash out.The EFA said several decisions during the game had directly affected the outcome."Several key incidents raised serious concerns and left profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly influenced the course of the game," the federation said in a statement posted on social media."A number of football experts and specialist analysts, both locally and internationally, have highlighted controversial and influential refereeing incidents during the match."This underlines the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and transparency in match officiating, particularly in a competition of the stature and significance of the FIFA World Cup 2026."Much of the controversy centred on a goal by Egypt's Mostafa Zico in the 62nd minute that would have doubled his side's lead. The goal was disallowed after a VAR review identified a foul by an Egyptian player in the buildup.Egypt's frustration deepened late in the match when their appeals for a penalty after Hamdy Fathy went down under a challenge were waved away, before Argentina went upfield and scored the winner in the 92nd minute.Coach Hossam Hassan and captain Mohamed Salah expressed their disappointment after the match, while several former players and television pundits also questioned the officiating."Surely, this is not within VAR's [realm] to review this," former England goalkeeper Rob Green said on Fox's broadcast of the match, referring to the foul that led to Zico's goal being quashed."It's a full length of the pitch away."Former England captain Alan Shearer also criticised the decision-making process. "Either both are fouls or neither is. But they told us they won't re-referee," the Premier League's all-time leading scorer wrote on social media.Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright pointed to another incident involving Salah. "If you're going to pull it back for Argentina on the edge of the box to disallow a goal, you have to pull it back for this one with Mo Salah. He's been caught. Whatever we say, it might be minimal, he's been caught and then they go up the other end," Wright said on ITV.Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also questioned the consistency of VAR's application. "If that was in the Premier League, LaLiga or Serie A, it would have been a goal even after VAR review," he said.According to media reports, EFA President Hany Abo Rida has submitted an official complaint against French referee Francois Letexier and his assistants. FIFA has yet to respond to a Reuters request for comment.World Cup Goes Dark For The First Day Since KickoffThe World Cup is game-less on Wednesday.For the first day since the tournament began on June 11, no matches will be played, as the eight remaining teams prepare for the quarterfinals.France will take on Morocco in Boston on Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.Spain will play Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday at 3 p.m. E.T.Norway’s clash with England takes place in Miami on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.And reigning champions Argentina will play Switzerland in Kansas City on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET.Longtime Croatia Coach Steps Down After World Cup ExitCroatia head coach Zlatko Dalic has stepped down after nine years in charge, the Croatian Football Federation said on Wednesday, less than a week after his side's exit from the 2026 World Cup following a 2-1 loss to Portugal in the Round of 32.Under Dalic's tenure, Croatia finished runners-up at the 2018 World Cup and third in the 2022 edition in Qatar, but the team exited the tournament without a medal this time around."Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalic has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia," the federation said in a statement."Head coach, thank you for everything – the victories, the achievements, the qualifying berths, the medals, the unity, the respect, and your unwavering commitment to fight for Croatia, both on and off the pitch."Pop Star Drops In On England's World Cup CampEngland swapped the training pitch for a musical interlude last week when British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran visited their World Cup base in Kansas City.The England team posted video on their app on Tuesday showing the 35-year-old performing his hit "Castle on the Hill" for players and staff during some downtime ahead of their thrilling 3-2 round-of-16 victory over Mexico on Sunday."Do you know what? 2021, Harry (Kane, England's captain) got me down for the (Euros) camp, and then I met everyone, and then I've just been to every one since, and it's been great," Sheeran told England's in-house media. "It's been a nice little tradition. First time I played for the lads in 2021 we bonded, and so it's never a tough crowd."The Suffolk-raised musician is a lifelong football fan and minority owner of Ipswich Town.He also visited the England squad before their quarter-final match against Switzerland at the 2024 European Championships.England clinched a World Cup quarter-final berth with Sunday's dramatic win at the Azteca Stadium. "I think it will be an England-France final, and I think when you get to the final, anyone can win, and I think it'll be us," Sheeran said.The team arrived back in Kansas City on Monday, and used the day mainly for recovery.Israeli Strike Kills World Cup Screening Organizer In Gaza Just Before KickoffAn Israeli strike on Gaza just before the kickoff of the Egypt-Argentina World Cup match killed a top Palestinian aid official who was instrumental in efforts to organize public screenings of the game across the enclave, according to local health officials.Read more here:FIFA Investigates Alleged Racist Abuse Of U.S. YouTuber At World Cup GameFIFA is investigating an alleged incident of racist abuse at a World Cup game.During Argentina’s round of 32 victory over Cape Verde in Miami on Friday, a fan wearing an Argentina jersey reportedly said in Spanish to U.S. YouTuber IShowSpeed, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., and who is Black, to “go cry to the zoo.”Read more on The Associated Press:Belgium Soccer Team Trolls Trump In The Most Hilarious WayThe Belgium soccer team celebrated its 4-1 victory over the U.S. in the World Cup by viciously trolling Donald Trump in their locker room.Read more here:Olympics Chief Addresses Concerns Over Political Meddling At LA 2028 After Trump World Cup SagaThe head of the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday the Olympic movement had mechanisms to deal with disputes at major events, when asked whether she was concerned about political interference ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.Kirsty Coventry was speaking days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had personally urged FIFA to review the red-card suspension of U.S. striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup, a case that raised questions over political pressure on sports bodies.Canadian PM Mark Carney's Joke World Cup Plea to Norway Goes ViralCanada's Prime Minister Mark Carney mixed business with banter at the NATO summit in Turkey as he jokingly attempted to recruit Norway's star striker Erling Haaland for his country's next World Cup squad.Carney met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the summit in Turkey's capital Ankara on Tuesday, a day after agreeing to a submarine deal with a German-Norwegian partnership.Highlighting the importance of Canada's relationship with Norway, Carney could not resist making an audacious pitch for the Norwegian forward who has scored seven goals at the World Cup."Interoperability also means sharing crews. And in the next World Cup, if you could share Erling Haaland with us, that would be greatly, greatly appreciated," he joked, drawing laughs from Stoere.Stoere immediately broke into a Viking-row gesture and said: "He is not for sale."Norway stunned Brazil in the round of 16 and play England in the quarter-finals on Saturday.World Cup co-hosts Canada bowed out of the tournament last week after an inspirational run that saw them claim the nation's first World Cup point, first World Cup victory and first knockout-stage win.Norway World Cup Coach Makes Concerning Admission Before England ClashNorway coach Stale Solbakken said some of his players have been feeling under the weather ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against England on Saturday, as a month of travel, training and high-pressure games begins to take its toll on the squad.Striker Jorgen Strand Larsen is one of those dealing with health issues, Solbakken added."We've really only had Jorgen who has had a fever, but then there's been a bit of coughing and rasping scattered throughout," Solbakken told reporters. "But there's air conditioning, flights, changing rooms and all that. There's 50 people (in Norway's travelling party), so it would be strange if something or other didn't crop up."Marcus Holmgren Pedersen missed the 2-1 win over Brazil in the round of 16 due to illness, though Solbakken thought the pressure of the World Cup experience may also have affected the 25-year-old."I think, without being a doctor, that it's a combination of the boy being young, he's come to the World Cup and thought, 'I'm going to be a backup for Julian (Ryerson)', he's had two games and played great," Solbakken explained."He's got a lot of stimulation, his head is full, his body is full of impressions, and then the system collapses a bit."U.S. World Cup Exit Smashes Another Major RecordThe United States men's national team's loss to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday was a disappointment for fans, but it rewrote domestic viewership records once again.The game drew 30 million viewers on Fox, according to Nielsen preliminary data released Tuesday. That far outpaced the Americans' round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina last Wednesday, which at 24.429 million was the most-watched English-language soccer broadcast in the U.S. for all of five days.The peak audience for Belgium's 4-1 win over the U.S. was 36.895 million viewers in the 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET window.The 30 million number beat out some high-profile sporting events in the U.S. in the past 12 months, including the New York Knicks' title-clinching Game 5 win over the San Antonio Spurs (24.5 million) and Game 7 of the 2025 World Series in which the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (26 million). The CFP national title game between Indiana and Miami only barely beat out U.S.-Belgium at 30.1 million.And taken together with an audience of 12 million on Spanish-language Telemundo, the game averaged a whopping 42 million viewers.It was the last U.S. match fans will get to see in the tournament they are co-hosting. Malik Tillman scored on a free kick, but Charles De Ketelaere had a first-half brace for Belgium and they added on two more after halftime.FIFA Suspended 2 U.S. World Cup Team Staffers For Belgium Loss: ReportTwo U.S. men's national team staff members were suspended by FIFA for the team's World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday.Team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell weren't allowed at the match, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday. FIFA reportedly handed out the suspensions pregame on Monday without specifying an exact reason.The U.S. Soccer Federation also didn't address the cause behind the punishment, though it did say it was unrelated to the federation's work that resulted in Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension getting pushed back.According to ESPN, the two were sanctioned regarding a violation of FIFA match protocols as well as people having access to areas where they shouldn't have been. Per the report, no physical dispute occurred.Balogun started on Monday, a match the U.S. lost 4-1 to Belgium.Front Office Sports reported that the cause of the two suspensions might have been Balogun coming back onto the field on July 1 to celebrate the United States' 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara, Calif.Balogun was sent off for a bad tackle in the second half of the Bosnia game, and players who receive a red card are not allowed to return to the pitch during or after that contest.Per multiple media outlets, Zapatka joined U.S. Soccer in 2015 and has been in his current job since 2020.In an April article, Seton Hall University newspaper The Setonian wrote that Pannell previously worked for the Secret Service, the CIA and in the private sector.Switzerland Edge Colombia On Penalty Kicks To Make First World Cup Quarterfinal Since 1954Ruben Vargas delivered the deciding goal in the fifth round of a penalty shootout and Switzerland advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup following a scoreless draw against Colombia on Tuesday in Vancouver.Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a key diving save on Colombia's Cucho Hernandez in the fourth round of PKs. Granit Xhaka, Zeki Amdouni and Cedric Itten also made shots from the spot as Switzerland prevailed 4-3 and advanced to its first quarterfinal since 1954.As the last of the eight quarterfinal teams in the tournament, Switzerland are set to face Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. Argentina advanced by scoring three goals after the 78th minute as the defending champions pulled off a 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt.Kobel finished with three saves in regulation and extra time while surviving a Colombia offensive onslaught in the 30-minute extra period. Colombia had an 8-1 advantage on shots in extra time.Colombia nearly took the lead in the 99th minute when Jhon Lucumi's header off a Juan Quintero corner kick bounced off the top of the crossbar. Colombia's Jaminton Campaz put a shot on goal from distance in the 101st minute that Kobel saved.Colombia again had a scoring chance in the 115th minute but Campaz's left-footed shot went over the goal.The defensive tussle played out just as expected. Colombia entered the match after allowing one goal, better than all World Cup teams except Spain, who have yet to allow an opponent to score. Switzerland allowed three goals during its first four matches.Each team had two shots on goal in the opening 90 minutes, while Colombia took seven total shots to six for Switzerland.Switzerland had a rare scoring chance just past the 90-minute mark but a shot from Dan Ndoye slid untouched across the 6-yard box.Colombia's best chance to score came early in the match when Gustavo Puerta's shot to the top right corner in the 21st minute was knocked down on a diving save from Kobel. Switzerland had a scoring chance in the 30th minute when Fabien Rieder's shot was saved by Camilo Vargas.--Field Level MediaEgypt Coach Blasts Referee After Argentina Defeat: 'We Have Suffered An Injustice'Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said his team was treated unfairly and "suffered an injustice" in the wake of his team's stunning 3-2 loss to Argentina in a round of 16 match in Atlanta on Tuesday.Egypt held a 2-0 lead until Argentina's Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute. Lionel Messi tied it four minutes later and Enzo Fernandez scored the game-winner two minutes into stoppage time.However, Hassan took issue with referee Francois Letexier on several counts. Egypt had a goal that had initially put them up 2-0, but it was disallowed following a VAR review. And the Pharaohs were upset that a hard tackle in the penalty box late in stoppage time was not reviewed."I'm not convinced with this outcome. I'm not convinced with the way things unfolded during this match," Hassan said. "I would do not want to try to put it nicely here with beautiful wording, selective wording, and saying hard luck, and so on and so forth."We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice."Hassan said Egypt had objected to Letexier being the referee, referring to his "background." Letexier is from France.Nine minutes into extra time, Hassan was issued a yellow card after objecting to the lack of a VAR review."I was just saying this is unfair. I was saying maybe he's carrying a scar," Hassan said of their interaction. "Maybe he has something to hide. Whoever has something to hide sometimes fails to hide what he is hiding."Hassan vowed not to watch another match during the 2026 World Cup after his team came within minutes of upsetting the defending champions."We looked better compared to the reigning champions," Hassan said. "We were better in everything, but the result, the outcome, was influenced by internal factors on the pitch, inside the game, and external factors ahead of the game."There seemed to have been pressure exercised from the Argentinian side on the referee that had brought about this outcome."As the drama intensified, Letexier issued a red card to one of Hassan's staff members. By the end of the match, Egypt had been issued five yellow cards while Argentina had none."Ordinary life, normal life is unfair, OK, but why isn't there any fairness in sports? Within football," Hassan said.Despite his team holding a two-goal advantage late into the match, Hassan also questioned the noon start time in Atlanta. The only other match of the day was the final round of 16 match between Colombia and Switzerland at 4 p.m. ET in Vancouver."I dare to say that whoever schedules those matches is someone who doesn't and has never played football. It has nothing to do with football, because you never schedule a football match for 12 p.m., at noon," Hassan said. "At noon you go for a stroll, you go to get some fresh air, to maybe go on a brunch, but you do not go to play football. You do not go onto the pitch."When are the players supposed to eat? Are they supposed to have their meal at 7:30 a.m. in order to be capable of playing at noon? Is this someone trying to outsmart everyone else?"There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch. Negative aspects all around. It's just about credibility, lack of credibility with how things unfolded."I'm proud of my players. But we have not received what we deserve."--Field Level MediaLionel Messi Leads Argentina To 3-2 Comeback Victory Over Egypt And Spot In World Cup QuarterfinalsATLANTA (AP) — Lionel Messi did it yet again at this year’s World Cup.The Argentina great scored once while inspiring his team to an improbable 3-2 victory over Egypt on Tuesday despite trailing by two goals with only 11 minutes to play.The defending champions will next face either Switzerland or Colombia in quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.Read more here:Read Our Earlier CoverageSee HuffPost's earlier World Cup coverage here: