The 2026 World Cup kicked off on Thursday night with Mexico facing South Africa at the Azteca Stadium, but the buildup was overshadowed by a series of immigration rows that led Fifa president Gianni Infantino to tell critics to “chill, relax”. The most striking incident came just hours before Infantino’s press conference, when Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States after an 11-hour interrogation at Miami International Airport. A US official accused Artan of having links with “terror organisations”, ending his World Cup dream. Artan was flown back to Mogadishu on Wednesday. Infantino described the episode as “unfortunate”, adding: “We don’t control everything. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to just, you know, chill, relax.” His comments drew criticism from the United Nations, which called for an American rethink on immigration.
The visa problems were not limited to Artan. Iraq striker Aymen Hussein was questioned for several hours at a Chicago airport before being allowed into the country, Iran were forced to switch their training base to Mexico, and Iranian fans had all their tickets cancelled by US authorities, with some delegation members refused visas. Infantino defended the United States’ right to control its borders, arguing that no other organisation could have secured Iran’s participation given that the country is at war with one of the host nations. “We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” he said. “We have to respect that we are not kings of the world, who can rule over governments and police forces.”
“The 2026 World Cup begins amid visa rows and Infantino's 'chill' remarks.”
This is not the first time a World Cup has been mired in off-field controversy. The 2010 tournament in South Africa opened with a memorable goal from Siphiwe Tshabalala, whose strike against Mexico became an enduring symbol of African football. But the focus now is on the unprecedented three-nation hosting arrangement and the security challenges it brings. The US will stage 78 of the 104 matches, with Mexico and Canada sharing the rest. Infantino insisted he had no regrets about awarding the tournament to the United States, despite the visa chaos, and praised President Donald Trump, saying the World Cup would have been “impossible” without him.
For UK readers, the issues matter because English fans travelling to the US for matches could face similar visa hurdles, and the tournament’s scale means authorities are under pressure to manage border security without disrupting sport. Infantino’s “chill” remark also raises questions about Fifa’s accountability. The president gave a 35-minute monologue and took only a handful of questions, deflecting criticism by pointing to the political realities of host countries. This approach has led to calls for greater transparency from the governing body.
Q: Why was a Somali referee denied entry to the US for the World Cup? A US official claimed Omar Artan had links with “terror organisations” in his homeland. Artan was interrogated for 11 hours at Miami airport and then deported, despite being one of Africa’s top referees and having been appointed to officiate at the tournament.
Q: What did Gianni Infantino say about the visa problems? Infantino told reporters to “chill, relax” and said Fifa cannot control everything. He described Artan’s exclusion as “unfortunate” but defended the US government’s right to make immigration decisions, arguing that Fifa is “not the kings of the world”.
Q: How does this affect the 2026 World Cup for fans and teams? Iran were forced to relocate their base to Mexico, their fans had tickets cancelled, and some delegation members were refused visas. Other teams, including Iraq, faced delays. The United Nations called for a rethink on US immigration policies in light of the incidents.
What happens next is that the tournament is now under way, with 104 matches to be played across three countries. The visa controversies are likely to continue as teams and fans travel across borders. Infantino’s handling of the situation has drawn criticism, and Fifa may face further pressure to clarify its role in ensuring safe passage for all participants. For now, the football continues – but the off-field disputes have already left a mark on what was meant to be the most inclusive World Cup ever.