On the eve of the World Cup, Gianni Infantino urged football fans to “We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” as FIFA confronts backlash from the United Nations regarding immigration issues that have overshadowed the tournament’s preparations.
Infantino robustly defended FIFA’s management of the event, focusing on ticket pricing and visa challenges, asserting that no other organization could have ensured Iran’s participation, especially given its tense relationship with host nation the United States.
He expressed no regrets about awarding the hosting rights to the U.S., which will hold 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, even as fans from four competing countries face travel restrictions and the Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry at Miami airport this week.
“We have to respect that we are not kings of the world, who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation that does as much as we can. It’s important sometimes to chill, relax. We work on everything. Sometimes screaming and shouting does not find a solution.” Infantino stated. “In 2035 we hope the Women’s World Cup will be in the United Kingdom,”
During a 35-minute address, Infantino called on the media to concentrate on the football aspect, before tackling what he identified as the three primary concerns: ticket pricing, Iran’s involvement, and U.S. immigration policies.
The 56-year-old, frequently criticized for FIFA’s lack of transparency, provided detailed responses to a limited number of questions for approximately 40 minutes before concluding with a message encouraging enjoyment of the tournament.
Artan’s exclusion prompted the UN to suggest a reassessment of U.S. immigration policies earlier that day. Infantino, however, defended the U.S.’s right to manage its borders, despite having previously promised that this would be the most inclusive World Cup ever.
“Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let into the country? “Unfortunately we live in an aggressive world and security goes above everything. “When I say chill I don’t mean sit and do nothing. I mean trust us that we are trying to find solutions. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we are not.” he remarked. “Until today we have sold over six million tickets,”
“The demand has been unprecedented, not by a little bit, but by a factor of 10 or more. “The World Cup is a unique event that takes place every four years, and when you’re in one country you need to deal with local habits and local customs. Our entry price at $60 is the lowest of all the American sports in the playoff phases. Our average price of $500 is lower than the average price for American playoffs. You can at least compare the World Cup with the playoffs. When we put tickets on sale on the secondary market they are sold at a much higher price, which shows the original price was accurate. “What’s most important in all of this is that every dollar we generate goes back into football. If we were selling our TV rights to pay-TV, like everyone else, we would generate four times as much revenue. And we could give all the tickets away, but they would still end up on the black market. “As Fifa president we have to strike a balance. We invest in countries where no one else does – South Sudan, Bhutan. No one else is doing this.”
He added, “I went to see the Iran team in Turkey in March when people were saying it would be impossible for them to come,”
Infantino also defended FIFA’s ticket pricing, arguing that lower prices would likely lead to significant resale on the black market and that the revenue generated is essential for funding football development in poorer nations worldwide.
“I told them they would come and if I had to take a bus to Iran and drive them here, I would. They said they would drive the bus themselves. I don’t know who else in these circumstances would have made sure that Iran would come and play. “I’m very proud of my team and grateful to the administrations of all three host countries. I have a great relationship with President Trump. Without his engagement it would have been impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States. He understood immediately the magnitude of the World Cup and he helped to assist.” he claimed. “The demand has been unprecedented, not by a little bit, but by a factor of 10 or more.”
“The World Cup is a unique event that takes place every four years, and when you’re in one country you need to deal with local habits and local customs. Our entry price at $60 is the lowest of all the American sports in the playoff phases. Our average price of $500 is lower than the average price for American playoffs. You can at least compare the World Cup with the playoffs.”
Infantino emphasized that every dollar generated returns to football, explaining, “If we were selling our TV rights to pay-TV, like everyone else, we would generate four times as much revenue. And we could give all the tickets away, but they would still end up on the black market.”
He concluded by highlighting FIFA’s commitment to investing in countries that often do not receive support, like South Sudan and Bhutan.
Despite Iran’s challenges, Infantino took pride in their participation, noting that they had to relocate their training camp to Mexico with many team members denied entry into the U.S. He ended his remarks with gratitude for Donald Trump.
“I went to see the Iran team in Turkey in March when people were saying it would be impossible for them to come,” Infantino recounted. “I told them they would come and if I had to take a bus to Iran and drive them here, I would. They said they would drive the bus themselves. I don’t know who else in these circumstances would have made sure that Iran would come and play.”
“I’m very proud of my team and grateful to the administrations of all three host countries. I have a great relationship with President Trump. Without his engagement it would have been impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States. He understood immediately the magnitude of the World Cup and he helped to assist.”
