MEXICO CITY, June 10 – As the 2026 FIFA World Cup prepares to begin across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has pushed back against criticism surrounding soaring ticket prices, immigration concerns involving a Somali referee, and broader questions about the tournament’s organization.
Speaking during a media briefing in Mexico City ahead of the opening match, Infantino addressed several controversies that have emerged in the final days before kickoff. From the cost of attending matches to diplomatic challenges involving participating nations, the FIFA president argued that the governing body has worked to balance commercial realities with the global nature of the sport.
The expanded tournament, featuring 48 national teams and 104 matches, is expected to be the largest World Cup ever staged. With millions of fans expected to travel across North America during the competition, FIFA continues to face scrutiny over accessibility, logistics, and governance. Infantino used the occasion to defend FIFA’s decisions and highlight what he described as the unprecedented scale and significance of the event.
FIFA Defends Pricing Strategy Amid Fan Criticism
One of the most debated issues leading into the tournament has been the cost of tickets. Many supporters have expressed concern over prices, particularly for the World Cup final scheduled to take place in the New York metropolitan area.
Initial pricing for the final already attracted criticism, with premium seats carrying costs that placed attendance beyond the reach of many traditional football fans. As demand increased, prices rose further, sparking debate across social media platforms and among supporter groups.
Infantino defended FIFA’s approach, arguing that pricing reflects market conditions in North America and helps prevent large profits from being captured by secondary sellers. According to the FIFA president, significantly lower prices would likely have resulted in widespread resale activity, allowing brokers and unofficial ticket traders to benefit rather than the sport itself.
He emphasized that FIFA consulted legal and commercial experts before launching ticket sales and expressed confidence that the organization complied with all applicable regulations. Infantino also pointed to comparisons with major North American sporting events, noting that championship games in basketball, hockey, and American football often see dramatic increases in ticket prices as demand rises.
To address concerns from dedicated supporters, FIFA introduced a special allocation of lower-cost tickets through national football federations. The initiative was designed to provide more affordable access for traditional fan groups and organized supporter communities.
Despite ongoing investigations and inquiries from attorneys general in several U.S. states regarding ticketing practices, Infantino stated that FIFA remains comfortable with its position and is prepared to cooperate fully with any review process.
Somali Referee’s Visa Denial Sparks Questions
Another issue raised during the news conference involved Somali referee Omar Artan, who had been expected to make history as the first official from Somalia selected for a FIFA World Cup.
Artan was reportedly denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport shortly before the start of the tournament. U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicated that the decision was related to unspecified security and vetting concerns, though no detailed explanation was publicly released.
The development generated concern among football observers and human rights advocates, particularly given the symbolic importance of Artan’s appointment.
Responding to questions about the situation, Infantino acknowledged that the outcome was disappointing but stressed that FIFA does not possess the authority to override immigration decisions made by sovereign governments. He said the organization continues to engage in discussions behind the scenes in hopes of finding a resolution.
The FIFA president also called for patience while the matter is being addressed, arguing that public outrage does not always contribute to solving complex diplomatic or security-related issues. While emphasizing FIFA’s commitment to inclusion and global representation, he noted that security assessments ultimately remain the responsibility of national authorities.
The incident has highlighted the challenges that can arise when hosting a global sporting event involving participants from dozens of countries, each subject to varying visa requirements and border-control procedures.
Iran’s Participation Reflects Complex International Coordination
Infantino also discussed FIFA’s efforts to ensure the participation of Iran’s national team amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Relations between the United States and Iran have remained strained, creating uncertainty over logistical arrangements connected to the tournament. Nevertheless, FIFA worked alongside relevant authorities and football officials to facilitate Iran’s involvement.
As part of those arrangements, Iran established its training base in Mexico rather than the United States. The team is expected to travel into the U.S. only when necessary for official matches.
Infantino suggested that securing Iran’s participation represented a significant diplomatic achievement and demonstrated football’s ability to bring nations together despite political disagreements. He argued that international sport frequently operates within complex global realities and requires cooperation among governments, organizers, and sporting institutions.
The FIFA president maintained that ensuring all qualified teams can compete remains a core principle of the World Cup. He described the tournament as a platform that encourages international engagement at a time when many regions of the world face political and security challenges.
His comments reflected FIFA’s broader message that football should remain open and inclusive, even when international relations become complicated.
Trump’s Role, Financial Success, and FIFA’s Global Vision
During the briefing, Infantino also credited U.S. President Donald Trump for supporting preparations for the tournament. According to the FIFA president, cooperation from the White House played an important role in helping organizers navigate the extensive logistical demands associated with hosting an event of this scale.
He argued that political engagement at the highest level was necessary to coordinate security planning, transportation systems, immigration procedures, and infrastructure requirements across multiple host cities.
Infantino further discussed FIFA’s financial outlook, noting that the organization expects the tournament to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue. While acknowledging criticism over commercialization, he argued that FIFA could earn substantially more money if it restricted broadcasts to premium subscription platforms.
Instead, he said the governing body continues to prioritize broad public access, allowing billions of viewers around the world to watch the competition without requiring expensive pay-per-view services.
Looking ahead, Infantino described the 2026 World Cup as a landmark moment for global sport. The tournament’s expanded format, record number of matches, and three-country hosting arrangement are expected to establish new benchmarks for attendance, television audiences, and commercial performance.
The FIFA president, who has led world football’s governing body since 2016 and is expected to seek another term next year, also used the occasion to acknowledge concerns about press freedom. An empty chair was placed at the media event in recognition of French freelance journalist Christophe Gleizes, who received a prison sentence in Algeria following an interview connected to a football-related investigation.
As the tournament gets underway, FIFA finds itself balancing celebration with controversy. While debates over ticket prices, immigration decisions, and political involvement continue, organizers remain focused on delivering a World Cup that will capture the attention of billions of fans across the globe. Whether remembered primarily for its football or for the issues surrounding it, the 2026 World Cup is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched sporting events in modern history.