EU sports chief on World Cup visa row: 'It's up to the host'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged calm over visa issues impacting the World Cup buildup, stating that soccer's governing body cannot dictate immigration decisions to host nations. Speaking ahead of the tournament opener, Infantino addressed the case of a Somali referee denied entry to the U.S. despite having a visa, citing 'vetting concerns' related to suspected terror organizations.

Infantino described the situation as unfortunate but advised to 'chill, relax,' emphasizing that FIFA is a sports organization and not in control of governments or police forces. He stated that FIFA works behind the scenes to resolve issues and that immediate outcry can be counterproductive. He expressed no regrets about selecting the U.S. as a host nation, acknowledging that issues are normal for an event of this magnitude.

The FIFA president also pointed to Iran's participation as an example of navigating complex political circumstances, noting that he promised they would come. He promoted the World Cup as a unifying event that can provide a distraction from global conflict and uncertainty. Infantino also defended FIFA's ticket pricing, stating the lowest entry price of $60 is competitive with U.S. sports playoffs and that revenue is reinvested into football development. The tournament, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, is set to begin at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.