FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the soccer governing body's handling of visa issues ahead of the World Cup, stating that while FIFA works to find solutions, it cannot override government decisions. Speaking on the eve of the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, Infantino addressed concerns about Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the United States despite holding a valid visa.
Referee Incident Sparks Debate
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino told a press conference. “We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation.” The case has drawn attention to immigration challenges ahead of the June 11-July 19 tournament after U.S. authorities said Artan was denied entry due to links with “suspected members of terror organizations.”
FIFA's Role in Immigration Matters
Infantino emphasized that FIFA continues to work behind the scenes to resolve outstanding issues but stressed that immigration decisions ultimately rest with national authorities. “We always try to find solutions,” he said. “Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution.” When asked whether visa-related controversies made him regret selecting the U.S. as a host nation, Infantino expressed no regrets, noting that issues are normal for an event of this magnitude.
Iran's Participation Highlighted
The FIFA president also pointed to Iran's participation as evidence of the organization's efforts to navigate complex political circumstances. “People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said. “I promised them they will come.” He stated that ensuring Iran's participation despite geopolitical tensions demonstrates football's ability to bring people together. “When Iran plays, the stadium will be full, and I hope there will be a positive atmosphere because this is football,” he added. “We want to unite the world.”
Ticket Pricing Defended
Infantino also defended FIFA's ticket pricing after criticism from supporters who found costs prohibitive. FIFA has sold over six million tickets for the 48-team tournament, with demand exceeding expectations by “a factor of 10 or more,” he said. “The starting price at $60 is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the playoff phases,” Infantino explained. “If you sell it at a lower price point, it would have gone on secondary markets at much higher prices. Every dollar that comes in goes back to the development of football.”
The World Cup kicks off on Thursday at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca, which will become the first stadium to host matches at three men's World Cups.
