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 faced considerable criticism from the United Nations regarding immigration issues that have overshadowed the tournament’s preparations.
The FIFA president staunchly defended the organization’s management of the event, particularly addressing concerns over ticket prices and visa challenges. He asserted that no one else could have facilitated Iran’s participation, despite ongoing conflicts with one of the host nations, the United States.
Infantino expressed no regrets about FIFA’s decision to award the hosting rights to the US, which will be the venue for 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, even as fans from several competing nations face travel restrictions. This week, Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry at Miami airport.
“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,”
Beginning with a 35-minute address, Infantino encouraged journalists to concentrate on football, before delving into the three primary concerns: ticket pricing, Iran’s participation, and immigration to the U.S.
The 56-year-old’s tenure has been marked by criticism regarding FIFA’s transparency. He provided extended responses to a limited number of questions over an additional 40 minutes before exiting the stage, wishing his audience an enjoyable tournament.
Following Artan’s exclusion, the UN urged a reconsideration of U.S. immigration policies, yet Infantino defended the nation’s authority to regulate its borders, despite his earlier promise that this World Cup would be the most inclusive 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,”
He added, “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.”
Infantino also robustly defended FIFA’s ticket pricing structure, arguing that lower prices would have led to rampant resale on the black market. He emphasized that the revenue from ticket sales is essential for funding football initiatives in underprivileged countries globally.
“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 stated. “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.”
Infantino also took pride in facilitating Iran’s participation, even as the team had to relocate their training camp to Mexico due to many staff being denied entry into the U.S. He concluded with gratitude towards 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,” he 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.”
