FIFA chief says his organisation can’t rule on authorities insurance policies after a Somali referee was denied entry into the US.
Printed On 11 Jun 2026
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has fended off issues over ongoing visa points for gamers and officers coming into the United States for the World Cup, saying the worldwide soccer physique’s executives will not be “kings of the world” and can’t override authorities selections.
Infantino, dealing with questions from the media on the eve of the match on Wednesday, mentioned that FIFA is concentrated on being a “sports activities organisation” and won’t intervene in serving to the US decide approvals for entry into the nation.
“We strive at all times to seek out options – at all times,” Infantino mentioned at a information convention in Mexico Metropolis.
“However then we have to respect that we aren’t the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces and I don’t know what. We’re a sports activities organisation; we attempt to do our greatest with the signifies that now we have.”
Earlier this week, the US denied entry to Omar Artan, a referee from Somalia who was set to take part within the World Cup, regardless of him having a sound visa. Infantino known as the flip of occasions “unlucky”, with out detailing the circumstances or sharing information of any context behind the US choice.
FIFA removed Artan from the match roster following the US denying him entry.
The FIFA chief’s information convention adopted feedback from US President Donald Trump, who mentioned that his administration is working to verify “the proper folks” come into the nation for the World Cup.
Infantino mentioned FIFA understands there are additionally occasions to “chill and chill out” when visa points come up relatively than create extra battle.
“Typically, to instantly begin screaming and shouting has the other impact by way of discovering an answer,” he mentioned.
Infantino mentioned FIFA had no regrets about choosing the US as one of many three host international locations for the 48-team match.
Struggle on Iran and ticket pricing
This yr’s World Cup marks the primary time, since its inception in 1930, during which a bunch nation is about to obtain a rustic it’s at conflict with.
The US-Israel conflict on Iran has turned the largest world sporting occasion right into a geopolitical contest, with each Washington and Tehran showing to make use of the match for political posturing.
Iran’s gamers had been granted visas to enter the US 10 days earlier than their first match in Los Angeles.
Requested in regards to the standing of the Iranian crew, which moved its coaching to Mexico and can shuttle to video games within the US and then fly again to Tijuana, Infantino clarified that he’s not suggesting FIFA is inactive on the subject of aiding match contributors.
“I don’t imply to relax and do nothing. I imply to belief us that we’re working behind the scenes, attempting to grasp,” he mentioned. “There are issues we’re informed, issues we aren’t informed. We at all times attempt to make issues constructive and discover a answer.
“It has been profitable to deliver Iran to play in America, I don’t know who would’ve managed to try this … we don’t reside on the moon, we reside on planet Earth, and we strive our greatest.”
