By Reuters
MEXICO CITY – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the United States as a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid growing criticism over visa restrictions and entry denials affecting tournament participants.
Speaking in Mexico City on the eve of the tournament, Infantino said FIFA is a sporting body and cannot interfere with the immigration policies of sovereign governments, even as concerns mount over the treatment of players, officials and referees seeking entry into the United States.
“We try always to find solutions – always,” Infantino told reporters. “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, and we try to do our best with the means that we have.”
His remarks came after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States despite reportedly holding a valid visa. FIFA subsequently removed Artan from the tournament roster, a decision that sparked widespread criticism from football fans and human rights advocates.
Infantino described the incident as “unfortunate” but declined to discuss the details behind the US government’s decision.
The FIFA chief also responded to comments by US President Donald Trump, who said his administration was working to ensure that “the right people” are allowed into the country during the World Cup.
While defending FIFA’s approach, Infantino insisted that quiet diplomacy often produces better results than public confrontation.
“Sometimes, to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect in terms of finding a solution,” he said.
Despite the controversy, Infantino maintained that FIFA has no regrets about selecting the United States as one of the three co-hosts of the expanded 48-team tournament.
The tournament has also become entangled in wider geopolitical tensions. For the first time in World Cup history, a host nation is welcoming a country with which it is actively engaged in military conflict. The ongoing US-Israel war against Iran has added a political dimension to football’s biggest event.
Iran’s national team was eventually granted visas and entered the region ahead of its opening match in Los Angeles. The squad has established its training base in Mexico and will travel into the United States for matches before returning to Tijuana.
Defending FIFA’s behind-the-scenes efforts, Infantino said the organisation had worked tirelessly to ensure Iran’s participation.
“It has been successful to bring Iran to play in America,” he said. “We don’t live on the moon; we live on planet Earth, and we try our best.”
As the tournament kicks off, questions over visas, border controls and political tensions continue to cast a shadow over what FIFA hopes will be a celebration of global football.
