Infantino defends World Cup ticketing and visa handling amid criticism in Mexico City

Gianni Infantino has defended FIFA’s handling of World Cup ticket prices and visa access days before the tournament begins, as criticism grows over the U.S. denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan.

At a news conference in Mexico City on June 10, the FIFA president pushed back on questions about the cost of tickets and the wider access problems facing some tournament participants. According to AP’s report of his remarks, he said the average ticket price is below $500, with final tickets ranging from about $140 to $32,970.

Infantino also dismissed the backlash, telling critics to “chill” or “relax” and arguing that FIFA has limited control over government immigration decisions.

Ticket prices under fire

The pricing debate has become one of the main pre-tournament flashpoints. Supporters have complained that the cheapest options are still expensive for many fans, while the top-end prices for the final have drawn wider criticism over affordability.

Infantino said FIFA was trying to balance demand and access, but defended the overall pricing structure as the tournament approaches its June 11 kickoff in North America.

Visa and entry questions

The other controversy is the denial of U.S. entry to Artan, who was selected as one of FIFA’s tournament officials. His case has intensified scrutiny over how visas and border controls could affect referees, officials and potentially supporters travelling to the World Cup.

Infantino said FIFA had helped ensure Iran could participate despite tensions involving the United States, but he also stressed that the governing body cannot dictate every government decision on entry.

BBC Sport later published video of the exchange, with sports editor Dan Roan asking whether Infantino had lost control of the situation.

What happens next

The World Cup opens on June 11, and the issue is unlikely to disappear quickly. FIFA is facing pressure to explain how it will handle any further visa problems for officials or fans, while U.S. authorities have not publicly clarified the basis for Artan’s denied entry.

For now, the dispute has become part of the wider story around the tournament’s legitimacy and inclusiveness, alongside the usual focus on football itself.