Visa denials mount as World Cup opens across US, Canada, Mexico

FIFA’s Infantino Tells Critics to ‘Chill, Relax’ as Visa Denials Mount Ahead of World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has pushed back against mounting criticism over visa controversies affecting the 2026 World Cup, telling reporters to “chill and relax” while insisting the organization cannot override sovereign immigration decisions. The remarks came during a press conference in Mexico City on June 10, the eve of the tournament’s opening match, as a string of entry denials affected players, officials, and fans from multiple nations.aljazeera

A Pattern of Denials

The visa disputes have touched nearly every corner of the tournament. Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, one of FIFA’s 52 appointed match officials, was denied entry to the United States upon arriving at Miami International Airport despite holding valid documentation. The Department of Homeland Security said Artan was “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns” but offered no further explanation. FIFA confirmed Artan would be “unable to train and officiate” at the tournament.aljazeera

In a separate case, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied a Canadian visa ahead of his team’s opening match against Panama in Toronto on June 17. Partey, who faces pending rape and sexual assault charges in London and has pleaded not guilty, will remain at Ghana’s training base in Boston and is expected to be available for the team’s second group match against England in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on June 23.bbc

Iran’s delegation faced perhaps the broadest disruption. Fifteen members of the Iranian football federation were initially denied U.S. visas, prompting the team to relocate its base to Mexico. Of ten who reapplied, only four were granted entry on appeal, according to the BBC. Those still barred include the Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj and several operational staff members.bbc

Dozens of Moroccan fans have also reported denials, with 40 of 42 applicants from one supporters’ association rejected without explanation under a visa provision used when officers doubt an applicant’s intent to return home, according to Hespress.thecanary

FIFA’s Position

Infantino emphasized that FIFA operates as a “sports organization” and said its executives are not “kings of the world” who can dictate immigration policy to host governments. In a statement provided to The Athletic regarding the Partey case, FIFA said it “is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications” and that “the host government is responsible for determining visa issuance and entry into the country.”espn

The White House’s World Cup point person, Andrew Giuliani, told Politico on June 14 that “dozens” of visa cases had landed on his desk, including the Artan matter. UEFA, meanwhile, appointed Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final in August in what was widely seen as a show of solidarity.politico