FIFA president Gianni Infantino is urging restraint as visa disputes around the 2026 World Cup continue to surface in the United States. Speaking in Mexico City, he said FIFA can try to solve problems, but it cannot control who a government lets into its country.
His comments came after a string of headline cases, including the denial of entry to Omar Artan, who had been set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup. A United States official said Artan was refused admission because of “association with suspected members of terror organizations.”
FIFA Says It Can Only Push So Far
Infantino said FIFA is working behind the scenes, but stressed that the organization is not above national authorities. “We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces,” he said during his pre-World Cup news conference.
He also warned that public outrage can sometimes make matters worse. “Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect in terms of finding a solution,” he said, while adding that it may be better to “chill and relax” in certain moments.
Iran Visa Fight Adds More Pressure
Infantino later pointed to the Iran national team as an example of FIFA’s quiet diplomacy. Despite ongoing tension with the U.S., he said the federation succeeded in getting visas for the squad, though the team’s training base was moved to Tijuana, Mexico.
“It has been successful to bring Iran to play in America,” he said. “We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth and we try our best.”
He said that does not mean FIFA is passive. Instead, the group keeps talking, asking questions and searching for workable solutions when possible.
Ticket Pricing Is Also Under Scrutiny
Infantino also downplayed the ongoing investigations into World Cup ticket prices. Attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York and Texas have open cases, but he said FIFA feels “very relaxed” because it reviewed its plans before tickets went on sale.
| Ticket Detail | What FIFA Said |
|---|---|
| Lowest listed price | $140 |
| Top regular-seat price for the final | Up to $8,680 |
| Additional support offered | $60 tickets released to national federations |
FIFA said it sold 800,000 tickets in California for matches in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and Infantino said only three customers complained at first before a fourth joined later. He added that every dollar generated goes back into football.
He also said the average ticket price for the tournament was under $500, calling it comparable to other U.S. sports playoffs, although that statement appears to fit resale prices more closely than list prices.
The World Cup will kick off at the Estadio Azteca with Mexico facing South Africa, as the tournament opens under a cloud of travel concerns, ticket criticism and growing scrutiny of FIFA’s handling of both. The event is also being co-hosted by Canada and Mexico.