FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the handling of visa restrictions and travel bans affecting some fans, journalists and football officials ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that security considerations remain paramount despite criticism surrounding access to the tournament.
Speaking at a media briefing before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the global showpiece in Mexico City, Infantino was questioned about concerns that several individuals from different countries have been unable to attend the tournament due to visa issues and travel restrictions imposed by host nation authorities.
Notably, Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the USA which ultimately ended his dream of becoming the first official from his country to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.
The concerns have also gained prominence following reports that Iran were forced to alter their training arrangements, while supporters, journalists and football stakeholders from various nations have faced difficulties obtaining entry permits for World Cup-related activities.
The FIFA president was asked whether the situation undermined the tournament’s image as an inclusive and welcoming global event, asking whether he felt embarrassed by developments and whether FIFA had effectively lost control over parts of its own competition.
In response, Infantino rejected suggestions that FIFA should dictate immigration policies to sovereign governments, arguing that every host nation retains the right to determine who enters its borders.
Referencing the possibility of the United Kingdom hosting the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, he questioned whether it would be appropriate for FIFA to instruct governments on immigration matters. “In 2035 I think, we hope, the Women’s World Cup will be in the UK,” Infantino said. “Would you find it normal that FIFA would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country?”
The FIFA president acknowledged that obtaining visas can be challenging in many parts of the world and insisted that the United States is not unique in applying strict entry requirements. “The reality of the matter is that in every country there are governments,“ he said. “Try to get into the UK, into Switzerland, try to get a visa if you are from a certain country. It’s not easy.”
Infantino also pointed to the enormous logistical challenge involved in processing applications connected to a World Cup expected to attract hundreds of thousands of international visitors. “It’s not easy when you have 300,000, the majority of which from outside of the U.S., to process them, to vet them,” he explained.
FIFA Working Behind the Scenes
While acknowledging frustrations among affected supporters and media representatives, Infantino stressed that FIFA continues to work with authorities behind the scenes to find solutions wherever possible.
He emphasized that global security concerns remain a major factor in decision-making processes, noting that governments must balance openness with public safety considerations. “Unfortunately our world is a very aggressive world and security goes above everything and you need to respect the decisions which are taken,” he said.
The FIFA chief revealed that football’s governing body regularly engages with officials to better understand individual cases and push for positive outcomes when possible.
“When I say to chill, I don’t mean to chill and do nothing. I mean to trust us that we are working behind the scenes, we are trying to understand and there are things we cannot know, things we are told, things we are not told and we always try to make the situation as positive as possible and to find solutions.”
Gianni Infantino, FIFA President
He admitted that those efforts do not always succeed but maintained that FIFA remains committed to facilitating participation wherever circumstances allow. “Sometimes we manage, other times not,” he said.
Infantino also cited Iran’s participation in the tournament as an example of successful cooperation amid political and diplomatic complexities. “I think it has already been successful to bring Iran to play in America. I don’t know who would have managed to do that,” he remarked.
As the countdown to kickoff enters its final hours, Infantino insisted that FIFA is doing everything within its power to ensure the tournament proceeds smoothly despite the challenges surrounding international travel and security.
“We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth and you have to deal with different situations. We try to do our best and I hope we’ll have some good news.”
Gianni Infantino
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, gets underway on Thursday, June 11, with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the tournament’s opening match at the historic Estadio Azteca.
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