FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the way soccer’s governing body had handled visa issues ahead of the World Cup, saying on Wednesday that it was working to find solutions but could not override government decisions.
Speaking on the eve of the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, Infantino addressed concerns surrounding Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the US despite having a valid visa.
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 because of his links to “suspected members of terror organizations”.
Infantino said FIFA was continuing to work behind the scenes to resolve outstanding issues but stressed that immigration decisions ultimately rested with national authorities.
Asked whether visa-related controversies had made him regret selecting the US as one of the host nations, Infantino said he had no regrets.
The FIFA president also pointed to Iran’s participation in the tournament as evidence of his organisation’s efforts to navigate complex political circumstances.
He said ensuring Iran’s participation despite geopolitical tensions demonstrated football’s ability to bring people together.
The Swiss-Italian executive repeatedly returned to a message of unity, saying the World Cup could provide a welcome distraction at a time of global conflict and uncertainty.
Infantino also defended FIFA’s ticket pricing after criticism from some supporters who argued that the cost of attending matches had become prohibitive.
FIFA has sold more than six million tickets for the tournament, which now has 48 teams, and demand had exceeded expectations by “a factor of 10 or more”, he said.
