Infantino says World Cup ‘impossible’ without Trump

Gianni Infantino said he has “no regrets” about co-hosting in the U.S. and credited Trump with making the tournament possible, per The Athletic.nytimes
The remarks followed the denial of Somali referee Omar Artan at Miami’s airport, with U.S. officials citing “associations with suspected members of terror organizations,” according to the AP.apnews
British broadcaster Gary Lineker called Infantino “Sycophant-ino” in an interview with Bloomberg, criticizing his closeness to the U.S. president.bloomberg

Infantino Defends Trump Ties and Visa Row at World Cup Presser

FIFA President Gianni Infantino used an hour-long pre-tournament press conference in Mexico City on Wednesday to defend his relationship with President Donald Trump and dismiss mounting concerns over visa denials and ticket prices, telling critics to “chill and relax” on the eve of the 2026 World Cup’s opening match.espn

“Impossible” Without Trump

Infantino declared that “without his engagement and his involvement, it would have been impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States,” referring to Trump, whose administration has faced criticism over restrictive entry policies affecting tournament participants. Asked by a South African journalist whether he regretted the decision to co-host the tournament in the U.S. given the political turbulence, Infantino said he had “no regrets,” arguing that every major event faces challenges and that this World Cup’s issues were “probably” not as severe as those surrounding Qatar 2022.nytimes

The FIFA president’s remarks drew immediate pushback. British broadcaster Gary Lineker, speaking to Bloomberg, dubbed Infantino “Sycophant-ino” and described his relationship with Trump as “odd.” The criticism echoes wider unease over the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to Trump at the World Cup draw in Washington last December, an honor Infantino has defended by saying the president was “instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives.”bbc

The Omar Artan Flashpoint

The case of Somali referee Omar Artan became a focal point of the press conference. Artan, named African Referee of the Year for 2025, was denied entry at Miami International Airport on June 7 after U.S. Customs and Border Protection deemed him “inadmissible due to vetting concerns.” A U.S. official later said the denial was based on “associations with suspected members of terror organizations,” according to the Associated Press. FIFA confirmed Artan would not officiate at the tournament, stating that “a government ultimately decides who is granted a visa and who is permitted entry.”aljazeera

Infantino’s “chill and relax” response to a BBC journalist’s question about the case drew widespread backlash online and from media commentators. Thousands gathered in Mogadishu to welcome Artan home as a hero after his removal from the tournament.youtube

A World Cup Under a Cloud

The press conference capped weeks of controversy as FIFA navigates the intersection of global sport and U.S. immigration policy. Critics, including author Jules Boykoff, have accused Infantino of treating the United States “like FIFA’s private money pump” while giving Trump a platform on the world’s biggest sporting stage. With ticket prices reported to exceed $1,000 for some matches, questions about accessibility persist alongside concerns over political neutrality.jacobin

The tournament opens Thursday at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.youtube