Infantino could have stood up for the World Cup - but he said 'chill, relax'

Listening to Fifa president Gianni Infantino and you would think the controversy surrounding the 2026 World Cup in recent days had been insignificant.

"Just, you know, chill, relax," Infantino told a news conference at the Azteca Stadium on the eve of Thursday's opening match between Mexico and South Africa.

After all, it is not as though one of his referees was refused entry to the United States. Or Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for several hours at a Chicago airport before being allowed into the country.

Nor that Iran have been forced to switch their base to Mexico, their fans have had all their tickets cancelled by US authorities, and members of the delegation refused visas.

Of course, those incidents did all occur, and this was Infantino's chance to stand up for Fifa, to back Somali referee Omar Artan who had seen the pinnacle moment of his career ripped away from him.

To criticise or question, if not condemn, the US government for the way the tournament has been handled before it has begun.

Africa's number one referee being turned away by immigration was just "unfortunate".

And there was a robust defence of US President Donald Trump, with Infantino claiming a World Cup that will be largely played in the United States would have been "impossible" without the 79-year-old.