The World Cup 2026 is almost upon us, with the opening match kicking off in Mexico City on Thursday – and Fifa president Gianni Infantino gave his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday evening.
Four years ago, Infantino made infamous comments ahead of Qatar 2022, saying: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arabic. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel [like] a migrant worker.” This time, he addressed the sorry saga of a Somali referee denied a visa to enter the US, with the Trump administration claiming Omar Artan was sent home because of links to “suspected members of terror organisations”.
The Fifa boss’s response to the problems proved bizarre, as Infantino urged everyone to “chill, relax”.
Meanwhile, England have been rocked by a Bukayo Saka injury worry on tournament eve. Thomas Tuchel’s side conclude their World Cup preparations for the tournament with a friendly against Costa Rica in Florida on Thursday, and the England manager revealed he had concerns over Saka’s readiness to play a full part in the campaign as he manages an achilles issue. Furthermore, the game was delayed due to lightning and rain.
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Infantino’s Trumpian ramble is shambolic start to World Cup
As the stand-out line – outside the Fifa president praising himself for the “impossible” of ensuring Iran play – “just chill” wasn’t quite up there with all of Infantino’s feelings from four years ago.
It also meant this didn’t really live up to billing, even if it did inadvertently say more than the actual words intended.
Full comment:
Iran fans and an African referee: All the people unable to enter Trump’s United States for World Cup
The revoking of tickets for Iran supporters for the 2026 World Cup, as revealed by the country’s football federation on Tuesday, represents another group of people impacted by the strict and aggressive border restrictions imposed by Donald Trump’s administration in the United States.
Long dismissed as an issue by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, the inevitable consequence of Iran being at war with a co-host of the tournament is rearing its head just two days out from the event starting on Thursday. Iranian state media say that 15 officials were denied visas to the US, while the playing squad based in Mexico must reportedly enter and leave the United States on the same day as their matches.
In addition, just over the weekend, Somalian referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan – considered one of Africa’s top officials – was refused entry at the border in Miami due to “vetting concerns”, raising serious questions of the US’ Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as well as Fifa.
Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup
Months before World Cup 2026 got underway, senior figures within Fifa already found the planning hadn’t been going “as expected”. And that’s saying something. When the hosting of Canada–Mexico–USA was confirmed back in 2018, after all, the widespread feeling in football circles was that it was a return to the “familiar”.
Two of the countries had already hosted three of the most successful World Cups of all, and the promise in the bid-book was that this would be “low-risk and operational certainty”. It of course greatly aided such feelings that another promise was about record revenue projections of $14bn.
Full analysis:
Everything wrong with the 2026 World Cup
Full report: Infantino says fans should ‘chill’ after ref denied entry to US
T-minus 20 minutes until England play!
England’s final warm-up is edging closer.
England XI for Costa Rica game
GK: Pickford
DEF: James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly
MID: Anderson, Rice, Bellingham
FWD: Madueke, Kane, Gordon
Attention turns to England vs Costa Rica
Okay, with that press conference in the books, attention turns to England’s warm-up game with Costa Rica.
That friendly in Orlando, Florida, was delayed from 9pm BST to 10pm BST due to heavy rain and lightning.
FifPro update, which Infantino referenced
A press release reads:
“FifPro and Fifa have reached a historic agreement that introduces unprecedented advancements for football players worldwide. For the first time, FifPro will have representation on the Fifa Council with speaking rights, while also participating in several key decision-making bodies within world football.
“The agreement also establishes that players will receive a direct economic share of the value generated by their transfers, with a mandatory minimum payment equal to 5% of the transfer fee for the vast majority of professional male and female players.
“In addition, it includes measures aimed at ensuring better rest periods, strengthening protection against match congestion, and providing greater safeguards in cases of salary payment defaults by clubs.
Sergio Marchi, President of FifPro World, highlighted that these are ‘historic reforms’ that strengthen players’ rights and improve their working conditions. He also emphasized that ‘today we leave behind years of confrontation and open a new chapter of cooperation, responsibility, and shared ambition for the future of professional football’.”
Press conference over
So, there you have it, the press conference is done.
Almost two hours of talking from Infantino, who defended issues with Visas and insisted that Fifa is keeping a “positive” mindset while trying to solve all issues.
Perhaps the most notable moment saw him urge everyone to “chill, relax” after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US.
The Trump administration said the US had denied Artan entry for the World Cup due to his links to “suspected members of terror organisations”.
