On the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, football should have been the only topic dominating headlines. Instead, FIFA president Gianni Infantino found himself defending the tournament against a growing list of controversies, from visa disputes and referee exclusions to soaring ticket prices and geopolitical tensions.
As excitement built ahead of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium, attention shifted away from the action on the pitch. The biggest talking point was the absence of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa.
Artan was set to make history as the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. Instead, his dream ended before it began. The decision triggered widespread criticism and raised fresh questions about FIFA’s ability to protect participants at its flagship event.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said. “Again, we don’t control everything.”
The FIFA president urged critics to “chill and relax,” insisting the governing body was working behind the scenes to find solutions. “We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces; we are a sports organisation,” he added.
Those remarks quickly became the focus of debate. Many expected stronger support for Artan, whose World Cup journey ended after being denied entry by US authorities over alleged links to a terrorist group in Somalia.
The issue is not isolated. Several teams and delegations have encountered travel complications, with Iran facing perhaps the most complex situation. Amid ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, the Asian nation has been forced to base itself in Mexico for the tournament.
Iran will fly into the United States for matches before returning to Mexico. Despite the challenges, Infantino viewed the arrangement as a success. “When people were saying it would be impossible for Iran to come to the World Cup, I promised them that they would come,” he said.
Away from visa concerns, ticket prices have also generated anger among supporters. FIFA’s dynamic pricing model has led to accusations that ordinary fans are being priced out of football’s biggest event.
Infantino defended the strategy, arguing that lower prices would simply benefit ticket resellers. “Every dollar that comes in goes back to the development of football,” he said.
The controversy highlights a difficult balancing act for FIFA. Demand for the first 48-team World Cup is unprecedented, but accessibility remains a growing concern.
As the tournament begins, the atmosphere remains a mix of excitement and uncertainty. The football world is ready for another month of unforgettable moments, yet the debates surrounding the competition show no signs of fading.
For FIFA, the challenge now is ensuring the action on the pitch becomes the main story.
