FIFA chief says chill as visa denials hit Somali
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Gianni Infantino warned FIFA cannot control U.S. visa decisions and urged a “chill and relax” approach.
- Omar Artan a Somali referee was denied entry to the United States at Miami International Airport because of “association with suspected members of terror organizations.”
- Iran national team received visas to compete in the United States, despite having to relocate its training base to Tijuana, Mexico.
- FIFA said it is “very relaxed” about ticket‑price investigations, noting that only three customers complained out of 800,000 tickets sold in California.
- Ticket pricing was described as averaging under $500, which Infantino compared to other U.S. sports playoff prices.
- FIFA reiterated it does not regret selecting the United States as a 2026 World Cup host, despite the visa and ticket‑price challenges.
Why it matters: FIFA’s limited leverage over U.S. immigration means national teams and officials like the Somali referee may be barred, jeopardizing participation, while the relaxed stance on ticket‑price probes could shield FIFA’s revenue streams and further scrutiny from state attorneys general and legal bodies.
Ask SkimNews
