FIFA chief Infantino faces questions ahead of the World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino will address the press on Wednesday, the eve of the 2026 World Cup, as the tournament’s preparations are marred by off‑field controversies.

He is expected to answer difficult questions about the high cost of tickets and an immigration crackdown that has prevented a top referee, fans, and team officials from attending matches in the United States.

Infantino will hold a rare press conference in Mexico City, where the co‑host nation will play South Africa in the opening match at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday.

The 2026 men’s World Cup has expanded to 48 teams and will be the largest and most ambitious edition in history, with matches also taking place in Canada.

However, the refusal of U.S. immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa’s leading match officials, to enter the country highlighted concerns that Donald Trump’s immigration policy could leave lasting damage on the event.

Artan said the “biggest dream of my life” had been taken away after he was turned back at the U.S. border.

“I am very, very disappointed,” Artan told The New York Times. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

Artan, who was named the 2025 men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup.

He described an 11‑hour interview with border officials at Miami International Airport, followed by several hours of detention in a holding cell before being placed on a flight back to Turkey.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” he added – an assertion confirmed to AFP by a Somali government advisor.

A U.S. State Department official told AFP that the referee was “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” thereby “making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States.”

Artan returned to a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to participate in the next tournament in 2030.

“I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud… Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” Artan told more than 100 supporters and journalists at Mogadishu’s main airport.

Meanwhile, concerns grew that the curtain‑raiser in Mexico City could be disrupted by social unrest.

Protesters on Tuesday blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca, but police lines prevented them from reaching the stadium.

Thousands joined the demonstration after a week of action that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a “provocation.” Sheinbaum said the opening match was “guaranteed,” but again ruled out using police to repress the demonstrations.

– Messi sparkles on return –

On the pitch, Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi scored moments after coming off the bench on Tuesday, dispelling any injury doubts and helping the holders win their final warm‑up game.

The 38‑year‑old Messi had not played for Argentina in the build‑up to their title defence after injuring a hamstring while playing for Inter Miami in late May.

He was introduced as a substitute with 20 minutes left to huge acclaim from a capacity 88,000 crowd against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, and his clever through ball set up Lautaro Martinez, who was fouled in the box.

Messi, who drove Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar four years ago and is set to feature in his sixth World Cup, struck a penalty to help the reigning champions ease to a 3‑0 win.

Argentina’s first match is on June 16, against Algeria in Kansas City.

Along with Spain, France and England, Argentina are among the favourites to win the title.

Messi is set to feature in his sixth World Cup.

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