MEXICO CITY — FIFA president Gianni Infantino emphasized that the organization cannot dictate U.S. visa policies regarding entry for the World Cup, stating that it’s sometimes more effective to “chill and relax” concerning these matters.
“Believe me when I say this, or don’t if you choose not to, but we are always looking for solutions,” Infantino shared during his pre-World Cup press conference in Mexico City on Wednesday. “However, we must acknowledge that we are not in a position to govern over nations or law enforcement; we are a sports organization striving to make the best use of the resources we have.”
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Infantino mentioned Omar Artan, who was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup but was denied entry into the United States after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul.
A U.S. official stated on Tuesday evening that Artan was refused entry due to “association with suspected members of terrorist organizations.”
“What happened to Omar, the Somali referee, is unfortunate, but we can’t control everything,” Infantino remarked. “We are making efforts, we will discuss this, and sometimes it’s beneficial to take a step back and relax. We work diligently to resolve these issues.”
“Sometimes, reacting with anger can be counterproductive in terms of reaching a solution. We continuously strive to find resolutions. However, we must accept that we do not possess absolute authority over governments and law enforcement.”
When pressed for clarification, Infantino highlighted the successful issuance of visas for the Iran squad, despite tensions related to U.S. policies.
“I don’t mean to suggest that we should do nothing; rather, I want to assure you that we are actively working behind the scenes, trying to navigate the situation,” he explained. “We are aware of some information, while other details remain undisclosed. Our goal is always to create a positive outcome and find solutions.”
“It has been a success to facilitate Iran’s participation in the United States. I question who else could have achieved that. We don’t operate in a vacuum; we are engaged with reality and do our utmost.”
Despite the ongoing challenges, including relocating the Iran national team’s training camp to Tijuana, Mexico, and denying entry to Artan, Infantino reiterated his support for choosing the U.S. as the host for the 2026 World Cup.
He also mentioned a similarly “relaxed” approach regarding ongoing investigations into World Cup ticket prices, with inquiries from attorneys general in California, New Jersey, New York, and Texas.
“Let me clarify that we are quite at ease with this, as we consulted leading legal experts before releasing tickets to the public,” Infantino stated. “In California, we sold 800,000 tickets for matches in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and only three customers voiced complaints, with a fourth voicing concerns later. We resolved these matters before the investigations commenced. We welcome any scrutiny and are prepared to present our case, as it is crucial to ensure that every dollar generated is reinvested back into football.”
FIFA set ticket prices starting at $140 for the summer tournament, while select premium seats for the July 19 final in New Jersey reached up to $8,680. Following significant backlash, FIFA made a portion of $60 tickets available to national federations for fans.
Infantino noted that the average ticket price for the tournament is below $500, comparable to other U.S. sports during playoff seasons—a claim that, while valid for resale prices, may not accurately apply to the official list prices.
The World Cup, co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, is set to begin on Thursday at Estadio Azteca with a match between Mexico and South Africa.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.