On the eve of the soccer World Cup, amidst controversies and criticism, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed no regrets about the organization’s handling of recent issues. Speaking in Mexico City ahead of the tournament’s commencement, he responded to the backlash over concerns like record ticket prices, visa restrictions, and Iran’s participation.
The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey are scrutinizing FIFA’s ticket pricing strategy to determine if deceptive practices were involved. Infantino remained confident, citing that FIFA consulted legal and industry experts. Ticket prices have surged, costing up to ten times more than the previous World Cup. He asserted, “If we’ve done something wrong, probably everybody in North America is selling tickets wrong as well.”
Infantino, who receives a salary of approximately $6 million, highlighted FIFA’s investment in global soccer development. He maintained that FIFA operates with the sport’s best interests at heart.
Recent developments included the denial of entry for a Somalian referee, Omar Artan, into the United States. Despite being held and sent back to Turkey, Infantino sympathized with the official but urged critics to “chill, relax,” adding that FIFA strives to manage such incidents but lacks control over all circumstances.
The World Cup begins against the backdrop of ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, marking a first in hosting history. Uncertainty surrounded the Iran team, which only secured visas for three games in the U.S. in the past ten days. Numerous staff and officials faced entry denial, forcing the team to relocate from Tucson, Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.
Infantino praised FIFA’s efforts in facilitating Iran’s participation, claiming no other organization could achieve the same. He reassured the Iranian team that, if necessary, he would have personally transported them from Tehran to ensure their participation in the tournament.
Tariq Panja, a global sports correspondent, covers the intersection of money, geopolitics, and crime within the sports world.