SHAH ALAM - As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway across the United States (US), Mexico and Canada, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been forced to defend the governing body's handling of several controversies that have overshadowed the tournament's opening week.
These include concerns over visa restrictions, the exclusion of Somali referee Omar Artan, Iran’s participation and record-high ticket prices.
Speaking at a press conference in Mexico City on the eve of the tournament, Infantino defended both the US’ role as host and his close relationship with US President Donald Trump. He also urged critics to “chill” amid growing scrutiny surrounding the competition.
Based on reports by international news agencies, Infantino praised Trump’s involvement in preparations for the tournament, describing the US president’s role as indispensable in helping ensure the smooth organisation of football’s biggest event.
“I have a great relationship with President Trump, I am very happy about that. I got to know him during his first mandate and we have been working very closely together now in his second term.
“Without his engagement and his involvement I think it would have been impossible, as simple as that, impossible to organise a World Cup in the US.
“Trump understood immediately the magnitude of the World Cup, the impact of the World Cup and instructed the administration to help and assist,” he was reported as saying.
His comments came as FIFA continued facing questions over immigration and visa-related issues affecting participants, officials, journalists and supporters travelling to the tournament.
The most prominent case involved Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who became the first referee from Somalia selected for a FIFA World Cup but was denied entry into the US after arriving in Miami.
Addressing the controversy, Infantino acknowledged the situation was regrettable but stressed FIFA could not override sovereign government decisions.
“It is unfortunate as well what happened to Omar, the referee from Somalia. But again, we do not control everything. Maybe sometimes it is good as well to just, you know, chill, relax.
“We work on everything, we try to solve everything,” he reportedly said initially.
After receiving criticism for those remarks, Infantino later clarified his position.
“When I say to chill, I do not mean to chill and do nothing. I mean, trust us that we are working behind the scenes; we are trying to understand and we always try to make the situation as positive as possible and to find solutions.
“Believe me when I tell you, we always try to find solutions. But we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation.
“You know, again, we do not live on the moon, we live on the planet Earth and you have to deal with different situations. We will try to do our best and I hope we will have some good news,” he said.
It was also reported that the FIFA president defended the tournament’s contentious ticket pricing model, which has faced criticism from supporters and attracted scrutiny from several US state authorities.
He said FIFA has already sold more than six million tickets and maintained that setting lower prices would have primarily benefited ticket resellers rather than the sport itself.
“We have sold more than six million tickets so far. The level of demand has been unprecedented and the volume of ticket requests has been truly extraordinary.
“If tickets had been sold at a lower price, they would have ended up — which is perfectly legal in this country — on the secondary market at significantly higher prices.
“And where would that money go? It would go to those operating in the secondary or black market, not to football,” he said.
Infantino maintained that revenue generated from the World Cup would be reinvested into football development worldwide.
He also dismissed concerns over investigations into FIFA’s ticketing practices.
“If we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong as well.
“We welcome every investigation, we are happy to present everything and we are happy to make our case,” he was reported as saying.
Beyond visa and ticketing controversies, Infantino also defended FIFA’s efforts to ensure Iran’s participation in the tournament despite geopolitical tensions involving the US.
According to reports, he revealed that FIFA worked extensively to guarantee the team's attendance.
“Let me say that on Iran, I am very happy because I went to see the Iranian team in Turkiye in March this year. People were saying Iran could not come to the World Cup. I promised them they will come and if I have to go on a bus to Tehran and drive them here I will do that.
“Their answer was, ‘We will take the bus and drive ourselves if need be. We qualified and we want to play. This is the spirit of football,” he said.
Infantino highlighted that securing Iran’s participation was one of FIFA’s major achievements ahead of the tournament.
The FIFA chief also rejected suggestions that he regretted awarding the majority of World Cup matches to the US despite ongoing criticism surrounding immigration restrictions and political tensions.
“No, I do not regret anything. There are issues, it is normal for an event of this magnitude.
“I would always hope there are no issues, but that is what we have to deal with. Some come from the US, some from Canada, some from Mexico. We deal with all of them and we have the same positive spirit,” he said.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in Mexico City with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, marking the start of the largest World Cup in history featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across three host nations.