THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Infantino tells critics to ‘chill, relax’ amid World Cup visa row “Chill, relax.” That was FIFA President Gianni Infantino's message Wednesday as he sought to ease concerns over visa complications that have overshadowed the buildup to the W...

FIFA's Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says fans 'should chill ... By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ The Associated Press MEXICO CITY (AP) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday, saying “if we do something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong.” Infantino spoke with reporters during a rare question-and-answer session on the eve of the opening match of an expanded 48-nation, 104-game World Cup tournament. He defended record ticket prices, said FIFA was powerless to get the U.S. government to admit a Somali referee, and praised his ability to get Iran’s national soccer team into the United States. FIFA priced tickets starting at $140 for group-stage games, but regular seats for the July 19 final outside New York were listed at up to $8,680 and hospitality seats at up to $73,200. It raised prices for the final to $10,990 and then $32,970. After much criticism, FIFA offered $60 tickets to national federations for their regular supporters. Infantino said 130,000 tickets were offered in that category. Four years ago at the tournament in Qatar, prices ranged from $69 to $1,607. “If you sell it at a lo…

FIFA’s Infantino defends US as World Cup host amid visa row, entry denials FIFA chief says his organisation cannot rule on government policies after a Somali referee was denied entry into the US.

Infantino defends FIFA on World Cup ticket prices, visa controversy FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket pricing on Wednesday, rejecting criticism over rising costs and arguing that the pricing model reflects broader market pra...

'Just chill, relax': Infantino defends World Cup visa issues, ticket prices FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends soccer's governing body's handling of visa issues and ticket prices ahead of the World Cup.

FIFA World Cup set for kickoff after high ticket prices, visa issues dog buildup <p>The World Cup <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2006734/world-cup-set-to-kick-off-after-pre-tournament-turbulence">kicks off</a> on Thursday with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, launching a sprawling tournament of 48 teams that will last nearly six weeks.</p> <p>The extravaganza hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada is the biggest World Cup in history, stretching until the final in New Jersey on July 19.</p> <p>It is projected to generate a record-breaking $13 billion in total revenue.</p> <p>But football’s world governing body FIFA has faced stinging criticism over the eye-watering costs of tickets while US President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans refused entry to the US.</p> <p>Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino launched a spirited defence of the organisation of the tournament and brushed off criticism over visa issues.</p> <p>Infantino insisted that tickets — which in some cases have topped $30,000 — had been priced appropriately, citing a small …

Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, dismisses referee US entry dispute FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended World Cup ticket prices on Wednesday, saying critics should blame the wider North American market if FIFA was overcharging. Speaking before the tournament opener, he said FIFA lacked authority to influence US visa decisions but highlighted efforts to secure entry for Iran's national team.

Infantino Defends World Cup's Handling of Iran, Tickets, and Visas Infantino told reporters in Mexico that “maybe sometimes it’s good to just chill, relax” and defended high prices by invoking Knicks tickets. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the global governing body’s handling of three of the World Cup’s most controversial storylines: Iran’s participation in the tournament, high ticket prices, and visa restrictions for people trying to come to the U.S. “We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet earth, and you have to deal with different situations,” Infantino told reporters on Wednesday. “We try to do our best.” The press conference in Mexico City was Infantino’s first in three years. At his last pre-World Cup press conference in Qatar in 2022, Infantino notoriously said: “Today I have very strong feelings, today I feel Qatari, today I feel Arab, today I feel African, today I feel gay, today I feel disabled, today I feel a migrant worker,” in an attempt to show his sympathy for victims of Qatar’s preparations for the tournament, remarks he joked Wednesday that “you all remember.” Infantino was not nearly as conciliatory when talking about U.S. immigration policy. …

World Cup 2026: FIFA president Gianni Infantino says 'chill and relax ... FIFA president Gianni Infantino held a 66-minute press conference on the eve of the World Cup, where he addressed Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry to the US, and Iran participating in the tournament; Infantino told people to 'chill and relax' regarding issues Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:18, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player FIFA president Gianni Infantino called for people to "chill and relax" over Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup. The comment came during a 66-minute press conference on the eve of the tournament, where Infantino defended FIFA over several controversies that have overshadowed the build-up to the World Cup. Artan was set to become the first referee from Somalia at a World Cup but was refused entry to the United States. Somalia are one of the countries on the US travel ban but Artan believed he had a valid visa to enter the country. The decision to ban Artan from the USA has been met with widespread criticism. "It is unfortunate what happened to Omar. But we don't control everything. We…