"We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces." That was Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, defending FIFA's handling of a visa controversy that has already cast a shadow before a single ball is kicked at the 2026 World Cup.
The case in question involves Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, denied entry to the United States despite holding a valid visa. U.S. authorities cited his alleged links to "suspected members of terror organizations." Infantino called it "unfortunate" — and left it at that, essentially confirming FIFA has no real leverage here beyond quiet diplomacy.
"We always try to find solutions," he said. "Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect." Whether that's pragmatism or a convenient excuse for inaction depends on how much faith you have in FIFA's back-channel influence. Either way, Artan won't be officiating at this tournament.
Iran, tickets, and the optics of a 48-team mega-event
Infantino did point to Iran's participation as proof FIFA can navigate political minefields when it chooses to. "People were saying Iran couldn't come to the World Cup. I promised them they will come." That's a genuine win, and it matters — but it also makes the Artan situation look worse by comparison, not better.
On ticket prices, Infantino was unapologetic. FIFA has shifted over six million tickets for a tournament that expanded to 48 teams, with demand exceeding supply by "a factor of 10 or more." His defence: a $60 entry price is the lowest of any American sport in playoff phases, and anything cheaper would simply have fed the secondary market. Every dollar, he insists, goes back into football development.
That argument will land differently depending on where you're sitting — in the stadium or watching from home because you couldn't afford to get in. Odds on hospitality packages being the real money-maker remain very short.
The tournament opens Thursday at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca — a stadium that will uniquely host matches at three men's World Cups — with Mexico facing South Africa. Infantino predicts the expanded format, combined with altitude, climate, and travel distances, will make this the most unpredictable World Cup yet.
He may well be right. The football, at least, will be easier to read than FIFA's press conferences.
