BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsFootball 2026BusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthSportAudioVideoLiveMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsFootball 2026BusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthSportAudioVideoLiveClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeWorld CupFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballOlympic SportsRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandNews FeedsHelp & FAQsFIFA World CupGroups & ScheduleScores & FixturesTablesTeam ProfilesTop ScorersWallchartInfantino could have stood up for the World Cup - but he said 'chill, relax'To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played 'Have you lost control?' - BBC sports editor Dan Roan asks Gianni Infantino Football issues correspondentPublished1 hour agoListening 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. 'Chill, relax, we can’t control everything' - relive Infantino news conference on eve of World Cup US official claims banned referee had links with 'terror organisations' Published9 hours agoFifa and global players' union agree landmark deal Published58 minutes ago'We are not the kings of the world'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Gianni Infantino was first elected as Fifa president in 2016 When Infantino sat down at the Azteca he knew exactly which questions would be coming his way. The expulsion of Artan after an 11-hour interrogation at Miami International Airport had come just hours earlier, accused by a US official of having links to terrorists in his homeland. "It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia," Infantino said. "But again, we don't control everything. "We try, we'll discuss, we'll speak, we'll see. Maybe sometimes it's good as well to just, you know, chill, relax." Those words will have been of little comfort to Artan, who touched down back in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Wednesday after seeing his World Cup dream die. There were no words of support for the official, no regrets expressed. It was just "unfortunate". When questioned about other visa issues, which have affected fans and team delegates too, Infantino deflected attention to the 2035 Women's World Cup - which is almost certain to be awarded to the United Kingdom. "Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let in the country and who not to let in the country?" Infantino asked. When England hosted the World Cup in 1966, a strikingly similar situation happened. The UK government feared the presence of communist North Korea could cause diplomatic shockwaves and it considered denying entry. After a letter from the Football Association warned the government that the country risked losing the World Cup, concessions were made to allow them to take part. Indonesia, due to be hosts of the 2023 U-20 World Cup, were stripped of hosting rights after saying Israel would not be permitted entry. Yet when the United States makes similar decisions which affect competing World Cup nations, such as Iran, Fifa says it is powerless. "Unfortunately, our world is, you know, a very aggressive world, and security goes above everything," Infantino said. "You need to respect the decisions which are taken, and when I say to chill, I don't mean to chill and do nothing. "We need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. "We are a sports organisation. We try to do our best with the means that we have." Published1 day agoDoes referee case show Fifa has lost control of its own World Cup? Published1 day agoWhat is happening with World Cup ticket prices? Published6 days ago'I don't know who else would ensure Iran could come'Iran have been granted permission to enter the US to play their three World Cup group games. But that was only after being told they could not stay in America and would have to be based in Mexico. And they would have to go into and out of the US within 24 hours each time to play their three games. Nothing can truly be taken for granted until they get through US immigration for their opening match against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday (Tuesday 02:00 BST).
Original Source: BBC Sport
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