Fifa president urges calm as US visa disputes and ticket probes overshadow World Cup launch
The Fifa president described the expulsion of Somali referee Omar Artan as “unfortunate” but beyond the organisation’s control, while deflecting scrutiny on pricing investigations.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino held a news conference at Mexico’s Azteca Stadium on the eve of the 2026 World Cup opening match, urging stakeholders to “chill, relax” amidst significant visa and entry issues affecting the tournament. Infantino defended his relationship with US President Donald Trump, stating the tournament would have been “impossible” without his engagement, while dismissing complaints about ticket prices and the refusal of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan as unfortunate but beyond Fifa’s control.
The conference followed the expulsion of Artan after an 11-hour interrogation at Miami International Airport, where US officials accused the Somali referee of having links to “terror organisations” in his homeland. Artan, who holds a diplomatic passport and a valid visa, was subsequently expelled and has returned to Mogadishu. Infantino described the incident as “unfortunate” but emphasised that Fifa does not control immigration decisions, noting that security concerns from host nations must be respected.
Visa restrictions have also impacted other delegations, including Iraq striker Aymen Hussein, who was questioned for several hours at a Chicago airport, and Iranian team members whose visas were refused. Iran has been granted permission to play three group games in the US but must base themselves in Mexico and enter and exit the US within 24 hours for each match. Infantino defended his role in securing Iran’s participation, claiming that without his engagement with the Trump administration, their presence would not have been possible.
Infantino also addressed investigations into ticket pricing launched by attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. He dismissed the probes as being based on a minimal number of complaints, stating they were founded on “three, not 3,000” issues. He argued that demand for tickets has been “unprecedented by a factor of 10 or more” and that pricing strategies were developed in consultation with legal experts to reflect the North American market.
When questioned about whether Fifa should dictate entry policies to host governments, Infantino deflected by referencing the upcoming 2035 Women’s World Cup, which is expected to be awarded to the UK. He asked if it would be normal for Fifa to dictate entry to the British government, drawing a parallel to historical precedents where host nations have managed diplomatic sensitivities. Infantino maintained that Fifa is a sports organisation that must work within the means and constraints provided by host governments.
The Fifa president reiterated his support for President Trump, stating he had a “great relationship” with the US leader and that Trump understood the magnitude of the World Cup. Infantino claimed that exchanging views with the president and his administration without asking for anything in return was key to maintaining a positive relationship and ensuring the tournament’s organisation.
Despite the controversies surrounding Artan’s expulsion and the logistical hurdles faced by other teams, Infantino insisted that Fifa had done its best to navigate the complex political landscape. He urged stakeholders to remain calm, asserting that the organisation could not rule over governments or police forces and that the tournament would proceed as planned despite the challenges.
