FIFA president Gianni Infantino comments on Somali referee situation
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Infantino spoke to the media on the eve of the World Cup.
On the eve of a football World Cup marred by controversies, negative headlines and complaints, FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared on Wednesday that he had no regrets.
Gianni Infantino, speaking in Mexico City ahead of the first game, struck a defiant tone. He addressed critics who have criticised FIFA for how it has handled issues such as record ticket prices, visa restrictions, and the fate of Iran’s soccer team.
The comment was made during a 66-minute news conference on the eve of the tournament. Gianni Infantino defended FIFA in the face of multiple problems that have clouded the 2026 World Cup build-up.
Omar Artan was slated to become Somalia’s first World Cup referee. But he was denied entry into the United States.
Somalia is one of the countries under the US travel ban. But Artan believed he had a valid visa to enter the US.
FIFA president speaks on the Omar Artan issue
The decision to prohibit Artan from entering the United States has sparked significant outrage.
“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Gianni Infantino told reporters.
“We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation.“
“We try, we’ll discuss, we’ll see. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to chill, relax.”
Also read: Why Omar Abdulkadir Artan won’t officiate at FIFA World Cup 2026?
FIFA has received bad attention this week in Iran. Several of Iran’s federation officials denied US visas.
The federation stated that FIFA had revoked an allocation of tickets provided to it for its matches, which begin on Monday with a game against New Zealand in Los Angeles. Gianni Infantino praised FIFA’s efforts in obtaining Iran’s participation in the finals:
“I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure (their participation) in these circumstances,” he said.
What did Gianni Infantino speak about regarding Omar Artan situation?
He revealed that FIFA couldn’t do anything when the USA denied him entry.
Will Artan not officiate World Cup games?
It appears unlikely.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.