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:Norway World Cup Star Erling Haaland Returns Home With Unexpected CompanionNorway soccer star Erling Haaland returned home from the World Cup with an unusual souvenir.The Manchester City striker was photographed carrying what appeared to be a taxidermied raccoon under his arm as he disembarked from a plane in Norway."It followed me home," Haaland quipped on X.Latest Live UpdatesDavid Beckham Has Hilarious Explanation For Victoria’s Viral World Cup FaceVictoria Beckham has gone viral at the 2026 World Cup after a photo captured her looking distinctly nonplussed while her husband, former England soccer star David Beckham, leaped to his feet and punched the air in celebration.The fashion designer and former Spice Girl, famously known as Posh Spice, remained seated as her husband celebrated England’s dramatic 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Norway at Miami Stadium on Saturday.The image quickly spread online, prompting comedian Jenny Johnson to joke on Instagram:“There’s nothing like cheering your heart out for England from home, then they cut to Victoria and we see that classic Posh Spice smile! It’s so infectious! I used to think I got animated while watching sports, but Victoria blows my enthusiasm out of the water! Each time I see her I shout, ‘SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!!!!’ because her energy is electric!!! See for yourself!”David Beckham joined in on the joke in the comments, writing: “She was celebrating inside I promise,” alongside a crying-laughing emoji, before adding: “Her reactions were slightly slower than mine.”Other photos from the match show Victoria Beckham looking far more animated. Scroll to see.1/22/2Jimmy Fallon Puts Trump's Iran War Debacle In World Cup TermsJimmy Fallon on Monday put President Donald Trump’s Iran war ceasefire collapse into terms that World Cup fans could understand. Read more below.Spain Star Lamine Yamal’s 3-Year-Old Brother Becomes World Cup SensationKeyne, the 3-year-old brother of Spain soccer player Lamine Yamal, has become one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Photos and videos of the toddler enthusiastically cheering on his 19-year-old brother have gone viral on social media. One moment in particular that captured fans' attention was when he was pictured on a stadium's gigantic screen sticking out his tongue and Lamine was filmed laughing at the sight from the pitch.Spain faces France in the first World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.Read more on The Guardian:World Cup Weather Watch: France vs. SpainHere's what fans can expect in Dallas for the first 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal game between France and Spain on Tuesday, including temperatures, the Fan Comfort Index (FCI) level and any weather concerns.See more World Cup weather news on The Weather Channel.1/22/2More Than 100,000 Fans Greet Norway's World Cup HeroesMore than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday to give their soccer team a heroes' welcome, turning the heartbreak of their World Cup exit into a massive national celebration.A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England on Saturday brought Norway's historic run to an end in the quarter-finals, shattering the Nordics' dreams of a place in the last four. However, it did not stop the country celebrating their heroes.Massive crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early on Monday afternoon, with an unofficial turnout estimated at more than 100,000 people.The Norway squad touched down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital.The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square before stretching far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first attended an audience with King Harald."I have felt very proud, it has been amazing, I have been both at home and in Spain, and the atmosphere between the Norwegian people has been there all the time, so it has been unbelievable," Norway fan Catherine Breiland told Reuters.The team stepped out to greet the fans with the Royal Guard standing to attention behind them.Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent from the final stage of the celebrations, having left early.His departure meant he missed joining his teammates on the palace steps for one last "Viking row", with tens of thousands of fans gathered below, which was led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums."Erling and Sander (Berge) had to catch their plane as our trip from the U.S. was delayed four hours," coach Stale Solbakken said, as the squad prepared to continue the celebrations in an open-top bus parade around Oslo.Crowds slowed the bus to a halt through central Oslo, forcing it to reverse at one point as police escorts struggled to carve out a path. Undeterred, Norway's players celebrated with beer and waved as the party continued long after dark."The run the Norwegian team has had this year has been way beyond anything I've ever expected. I feel everybody in Norway should just honour the national team, which has done such an amazing job during this whole cup," said Nicolai Sivesind, who travelled to Oslo to take part in World Cup events.CABLES PAUSE NORWEGIAN CELEBRATIONSThere was a moment of irony when the parade was halted by low-hanging overhead cables. The players, who had been standing and waving flags on the top deck, were forced to sit down to clear the obstruction before the double-decker could proceed.Solbakken said earlier he was convinced the ball hit a camera cable above the pitch just before Jude Bellingham scored England's equaliser in the first half of the quarter-final.World soccer's governing body FIFA has repeatedly denied that the ball touched any wire before the goal.Hours after the parade began, it completed the 1.3-km route at City Hall Square, where tens of thousands of patient supporters were still waiting to welcome the team."I don't think anyone had imagined this," captain Martin Odegaard told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. "The support we have received in the USA and here at home in Norway, has been beyond all expectations. It has been absolutely incredible to see."Croatia Makes Bold Coaching Gamble After World Cup CollapseSlaven Bilic was hired as head coach of the Croatia national football team on Monday, taking over following Zlatko Dalic's post-World Cup departure.It will be Bilic's second term in charge of his nation's program after previously coaching them from 2006-12."I have the complete confidence in our players, and it is my responsibility to bring energy, ambition, and determination to ensure that Croatia remains among football's elite," Bilic said in a statement posted to the Croatian federation's X account. "I am genuinely happy to start this challenge and I feel fully prepared for it -- as a more mature and experienced coach than in 2006, yet with the same motivation and desire to see Croatia stay powerful, bold, and successful."Dalic stepped down last week soon after Croatia's exit from the World Cup with a 2-1 round of 32 loss to Portugal.But Dalic instilled a higher standard in Croatia by leading them to the 2018 World Cup final and a third-place finish in 2022. The federation dubbed him "the greatest Croatian coach of all time" on social media when announcing his decision to step down.Bilic, 57, took over in 2006 after Croatia's group-stage exit from that summer's World Cup. The nation failed to qualify under Bilic in 2010.His coaching experience also includes stints with Russia's Lokomotiv Moscow, Turkey's Besiktas and a trio of English clubs: West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Watford. He led West Bromwich Albion to promotion to the Premier League in 2020. His most recent coaching role was a one-year stay with Saudi Pro League club Al-Fateh from 2023-24.Argentine War Veterans Call For Calm Before Politically Charged England World Cup ClashAn Argentine war veterans federation called on soccer supporters to focus on football ahead of their World Cup semi-final against England rather than use the match as a platform to push sovereignty claims over South Atlantic islands.Argentina and Britain fought a short conflict over the islands known by the British as the Falklands and Argentines as the Malvinas in 1982, in which 649 Argentine soldiers and 255 British combatants died.The group said on Monday that the match was "not an armed rematch nor historical compensation," urging fans and the wider public to honour the memory of Argentine soldiers killed in the conflict without promoting hatred or xenophobia."Sovereignty is defended in international forums through diplomacy, historical truth and the peaceful, non-negotiable claim enshrined in our national constitution," the April 2 War Veterans Federation said in a statement."We consider it essential to draw a clear and unwavering line between sporting passion and the national cause. "The ball rolls, pride in our colours multiplies, but memory remains intact."Britain claims sovereignty over the islands and maintains a military presence there, while Argentina continues to pursue its claim through diplomatic channels and international bodies including the United Nations.During the World Cup, Argentina fans and players have been singing a chant referencing the islands, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi's bid to end his international career with a second World Cup title.Argentina's players and coaching staff, however, have sought to cool rivalry talk ahead of Wednesday's match, with manager Lionel Scaloni saying there will be nothing more than soccer at stake when the two sides meet in Atlanta.England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford echoed his words on Monday, saying the semi-final was "just a game of football"."It's two proud nations. The football will do its talking," Pickford told reporters.Argentina and England share one of international soccer's most storied rivalries, marked by several high-profile World Cup meetings including the 1986 quarter-final that featured Maradona's famous "Hand of God" goal.Spain Star Yamal Addresses Ex-Prime Minister's World Cup Racism Row With Classy MessageLamine Yamal turned 19 on Monday with diamonds around his neck, mischief in the family and the biggest match of his life ahead but the Spain forward's clearest message before the World Cup semi-final against France was not about goals, gifts or fame.Asked about former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's controversial remark that France were a great team but "did not have any French players", Lamine, son of a Moroccan father and Equatorial Guinean mother, said football should be a bridge."Tomorrow we'll play a brilliant match but if football serves any purpose it's to bring people together," Lamine told reporters in Dallas. "France and Spain are examples of integration. That's what football is all about: integration. Not talking about what someone else has said."It was a measured answer from a player still young enough to be asked about birthday presents and famous enough for his family to be swept into the tournament glare.Lamine smiled when asked about his three-year-old brother Keyne, whose spontaneity in front of television cameras has made him one of Spain's unexpected World Cup attractions."My brother doesn't realise," Lamine said. "He does what he does at home, and when the camera focuses on him, he gets up to mischief. I like it when people like him. It's fun to see him on screen."Lamine also arrived at the news conference wearing an extravagant diamond necklace, his birthday present to himself, on the eve of a game he described as "the most important match of my life".Yet Lamine said he was not fretting over his own numbers, despite having scored only once at the tournament so far. "Every tournament is different," he said. "I'm not worried about having scored just one goal in the World Cup so far. We're winning. I've seen World Cups where Spain were knocked out, and so far that hasn't happened. I hope to keep playing matches so I can score."Spain face France in Dallas for a place in the World Cup final, with Lamine's birthday week offering another layer of theatre around a player who seems increasingly comfortable carrying attention that might flatten others."And it’s going to be a great match. A match that everyone was hoping would happen. Both teams will attack and defend. It’s sure to be a very evenly matched game," he said. For now, he wants football to do the talking — preferably loudly enough to carry Spain at least one match further.Trump's Hometown Newspaper Prints Brutal Letter About His ‘Stink’ On World CupDonald Trump may not want to thumb through the latest edition of his hometown newspaper.In a letter published by The Palm Beach Post, one reader blasted the president over his controversial intervention in the World Cup.Read more here:Argentina Gets Mocking New Nickname Amid World Cup Favoritism RowA new refereeing protocol has added to the powder keg of public perception over fairness at the World Cup, a former FIFA referee said on Monday, with another refereeing controversy involving Argentina adding fuel to fan complaints.The holders' passage to Wednesday's semi-final against England has been accompanied by repeated complaints from opponents over refereeing decisions, amid social media speculation the tournament has favoured Lionel Messi's side.The saga came to a head on Saturday in Argentina's quarter-final defeat of Switzerland, as Breel Embolo was sent off for a second yellow card for simulation, a VAR rule that Swiss coach Murat Yakin called "unacceptable."Asked for comment on Monday, FIFA referred Reuters to a July 8 interview with refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina, who rejected claims of bias in Argentina's lsat-16 win over Egypt.The protocol over mistaken identity is one of several incidents in which VAR is allowed to intervene under rules applied to the 2026-27 season and the World Cup, putting a largely untested protocol up for public debate."I don't think it should have been applied in the first place. It was too broad," said Christina Unkel, British broadcaster ITV's rules analyst for the World Cup and a former FIFA referee."And where I'm struggling with it is we're not just changing who gets the card, we're changing the underlying decision from a free kick going this way to saying no, no, no, it's actually a decision completely opposite way. So we're changing the basis of the decision."And to me, that is where we are now officially, I think, in the re-refereeing area that VAR has been fighting to try to stay out of."That the protocol benefited Argentina - who social media critics have dubbed "VARgentina" - only seemed to stoke the flames of fan outrage."This new expansion of the protocol without testing it, without really knowing that that's what they wanted it to do ... it's just like a powder keg," Unkel told Reuters. "I'm just waiting for the final lynchpin."'COMPLETELY ERODED'The narrative has been building since the group stage, when Algeria called for Messi to be sent off after he stood on the calf of their captain Aissa Mandi in the first half. He was not - and went on to score a hat-trick.Days later, Algeria filed a complaint alleging poor refereeing during the game, a source told Reuters.Controversy around Argentina's round of 16 win over Egypt spilled over for days: Egypt netted a goal in the 62nd minute but it was disallowed after a VAR check found there was a foul from the team in the build up.Egypt's appeal later in the match for a penalty was waved away before Argentina scored the winner in the 92nd minute. The Egyptian FA said several decisions during the game impacted the outcome.Unkel said nothing in those two games jumped out at her as poor refereeing, even as referees are often the quickest and easiest people for fans to blame when things do not go their way.But she added that off-field issues have added to fan mistrust.FIFA's handling of two World Cup red-card cases came under renewed scrutiny this month, after U.S. striker Folarin Balogun got a last-minute reprieve from his one-match ban while England defender Jarell Quansah got a two-match suspension."I think fan confidence is completely eroded right now," said Unkel, President of United Soccer League women's side Tampa Bay Sun FC. "I've covered major tournaments in this position and as a referee and I have never seen the level of chatter - not just on social media."See All Updates