FIFA President Addresses Visa Challenges Ahead of World Cup
MEXICO CITY — FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) lacks the authority to direct U.S. immigration policies concerning the World Cup. He remarked that in navigating visa challenges, it is sometimes best to “keep calm and relax.”
During a pre-World Cup press conference in Mexico City, Infantino stated, “Trust me or don’t believe me, but we are consistently striving to find solutions. However, we must acknowledge that we are not all-powerful. We are a sports organization attempting our best with the resources available to us.”
Infantino highlighted the case of referee Omar Altan, who was poised to become the first Somali to officiate at the World Cup. Despite being included on FIFA’s final list for the event, Altan was denied entry into the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul. U.S. officials cited his “association with a suspected member of a terrorist organization” as the reason for his denial.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to referee Omar, but we cannot control every aspect of this situation,” Infantino expressed. “We are constantly working to address challenges and sometimes stepping back can be beneficial. We remain committed to solving these issues.”
In response to follow-up questions, Infantino reiterated his organization’s efforts amid ongoing tensions with the U.S. He noted that, despite some challenges, FIFA successfully managed to secure visas for the Iranian national team to participate in the tournament. “I am not idle; behind the scenes, we are collaborating to find understanding,” he stated. “There are issues communicated to us and others that are not, but we strive to maintain a positive outlook and seek solutions.”
Despite lingering visa-related complications, including the relocation of Iran’s training base to Tijuana, Mexico, Infantino conveyed confidence in the decision to host the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. He remarked, “We do not inhabit a realm of fantasy; we are grounded in reality, and we endeavor to make the best of these circumstances.”
Infantino also discussed FIFA’s approach to ongoing investigations regarding World Cup ticket pricing amid lawsuits from attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. He stated, “We are confident in our preparations and consulted with top legal experts before initiating ticket sales for 7 million seats.” Despite concerns, he noted, “Only three complaints arose from the sale of 800,000 tickets for games in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and those issues were resolved quickly.”
FIFA has set the ticket prices for the upcoming World Cup at an average of $140, with some seats for the final on July 19 in New Jersey reaching costs of up to $8,680. Following backlash over pricing, FIFA allocated a limited number of $60 tickets to national federations for fans. Infantino claimed that the average ticket price remains below $500, comparing it to other major sporting events in the U.S. during playoffs.
The World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, kicks off Thursday with the inaugural match featuring Mexico against South Africa at Estadio Azteca.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
