FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has defended ticket prices and the handling of visa-related issues ahead of the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the governing body has done everything within its powers to deliver a successful tournament.
The expanded competition kicks off on Thursday with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the tournament features 48 teams for the first time and will run until the final in New Jersey on July 19.
While FIFA expects the World Cup to generate a record $13 billion in revenue, preparations have been overshadowed by criticism over expensive ticket prices and immigration restrictions that have affected some players, officials and supporters.
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Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, Infantino defended FIFA’s decisions and maintained that many of the issues being raised were beyond the organisation’s control.
Infantino defends ticket pricing
Responding to criticism over ticket prices, some of which have exceeded $30,000 on the resale market, Infantino argued that FIFA had also made lower-priced tickets available.
“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play-off phases,” Infantino said.
“Our average price, which is below 500 dollars, is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”
Response to visa concerns
Infantino also addressed concerns over immigration restrictions after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States and ruled out of officiating at the World Cup.
FIFA confirmed earlier that Artan would miss the tournament after U.S. authorities refused him entry despite his appointment as one of the match officials.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said.
“We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.
“Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution.”
The FIFA president also cited Iran’s participation in the tournament despite the country’s diplomatic and security challenges, describing it as evidence of FIFA’s efforts to ensure all qualified nations could compete.
“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said. “There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure in these circumstances, which we could not influence, Iran could come and play.”
Trump praised for supporting World Cup
Infantino also defended his relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the American leader played a key role in ensuring the World Cup could be staged in the United States.
“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States,” Infantino said.
Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he intends to attend some matches during the tournament, although he did not reveal which fixtures.
“I spoke to Gianni this morning… he said there’s never been anything close” to the success of the coming tournament, the US leader said.
Mexico, South Africa ready for opener
Attention now turns to the opening match in Mexico City, where South Africa will face the hosts before an expected crowd of about 85,000 at the Estadio Azteca.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos acknowledged the atmosphere awaiting his side but urged his players to remain focused.
“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that… then we can have a good game,” the Belgian said.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre is also hoping to end his country’s poor record in World Cup opening matches.
“We have to break the statistic. I’m going to share (that fact) with the players. It will be another source of motivation,” Aguirre said.
South Korea and the Czech Republic will contest the second fixture of the opening day in Guadalajara.
Spain, France and England enter the tournament among the leading favourites, while defending champions Argentina will rely on Lionel Messi as they seek to retain the title.
