World Cup to kick off amid high ticket prices and visa problems

The World Cup starts on Thursday with co‑hosts Mexico facing South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, kicking off a 48‑team tournament that will run for almost six weeks.

The event, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the largest World Cup ever, concluding with the final in New Jersey on July 19.

It is expected to bring in a record $13 billion in total revenue.

FIFA has come under fire for the high cost of tickets, while the United States’ immigration policies have caused visa refusals for a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans.

Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the tournament’s organization and dismissed criticism over visa problems.

Infantino said that tickets, some of which have cost more than $30,000, were priced appropriately, noting the availability of a small number of $60 tickets in response to complaints.

“Let me just say that our entry price, which is 60 dollars, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports in the play‑off phases,” Infantino said.

“Our average price, which is below 500 dollars, is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”

– ‘We don’t control everything’ –

Infantino also downplayed the controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry after arriving in Miami.

FIFA confirmed that Artan, whom the U.S. State Department said had “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” will not take part in the tournament.

“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino said.

“We don’t control everything… Sometimes it’s good to chill, relax, we work on everything, we try to solve everything.”

Infantino highlighted Iran’s participation amid its military conflict with the United States as a triumph for FIFA.

“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said.

“There are challenges, it’s not easy, but I don’t know who else would have been able to ensure, in these circumstances, that Iran could come and play.”

Infantino’s close ties to former President Trump have been scrutinized, yet he praised the former president.

“Without his engagement and involvement, I think it would have been, simple as that, impossible to organize a World Cup in the United States,” Infantino said of Trump.

Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he plans to attend some World Cup matches, without giving details.

“I spoke to Gianni this morning… he said there’s never been anything close” to the success of the coming tournament, Trump said.

– Wall of noise –

South Africa coach Hugo Broos warned his players to ignore the roar of the 85,000‑strong Mexican crowd at the Estadio Azteca, a venue that hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.

“They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus on our game. And if we can do that… then we can have a good game,” the Belgian said.

Mexico have not won any of their seven opening‑game appearances. “We have to break the statistic,” coach Javier Aguirre said.

“It will be another source of motivation.”

South Korea and the Czech Republic will play the second match on opening day in Guadalajara.

Spain, France and England are the favourites, while reigning champions Argentina will look to 38‑year‑old talisman Lionel Messi to lead them to the final.

England finished their preparations with a 3‑0 win over Costa Rica in a match delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms in Orlando.

Coach Thomas Tuchel praised his side’s intensity as Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins scored.

“Until now, it was more a feeling of a pre‑season, like an overseas pre‑season,” the England boss said.

“I think we set the tone today.”

AFP

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