Patience over visas and pricing underscores World Cup kickoff, Infantino says
As the 2026 World Cup opens, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged patience over visa delays and high ticket prices, defending pricing as market-driven while acknowledging FIFA cannot control all U.S. immigration decisions. The lead-up has included the denial of Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan’s entry to the United States and multiple entry restrictions or revoked tickets affecting officials and fans from Iran and other nations, signaling security and access challenges as matches kick off in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.