FIFA’s Infantino defends US as World Cup host amid visa row, entry denials

Trump: “we’re working… to make sure the right people come in”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has fended off concerns over ongoing visa issues for players and officials entering the ⁠United States for the World Cup, saying the global football body’s executives are not “kings of the world” and cannot override government decisions.

Infantino, facing questions from the media on the eve of the tournament on Wednesday, said that FIFA ⁠is focused on being a “sports organisation” and will not intervene in helping the US determine approvals for entry into the country.

“We try always to find solutions – always,” Infantino said at a news ⁠conference in Mexico City.

“But then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces and I don’t know what. We are a sports organisation; we try to do our best ⁠with the means that we have.”

Earlier this week, the US denied entry to Omar Artan , a referee from Somalia who was set to participate in the World Cup, despite him having a valid visa. Infantino called the turn of events “unfortunate”, without detailing the circumstances or sharing knowledge of any context behind the US decision.

FIFA removed Artan from the tournament roster following the US denying him entry.

The FIFA chief’s news conference followed comments from US President Donald Trump, who ⁠said ⁠that his administration ‌is working to make sure “the right ⁠people” come ⁠into the country ⁠for ⁠the World Cup.