FIFA finally breaks silence on Omar’s Visa ordeal

Speaking during the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening press conference at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City today, Infantino says they can’t force countries to alter their immigration laws. 

Artan, who officiated in the CAF Champions League recently, was turned away in Miami last weekend, as he was arriving to be part of the officiating team at this World Cup. 

"Of course it's unfortunate what happened to referee Omar from Somalia, but again, we don't control everything. We try to discuss and make arrangements, but maybe it's good sometimes to 'chill' and relax. We work on everything and we try to solve everything and sometimes screaming and shouting has the opposite effect to finding a solution."

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FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), where Artan hails from, have been blamed for keeping quiet when the reigning CAF referee of the year appeared to be getting a raw deal from the US government. 

This is something Infantino vehemently denies, as he went on to say they don’t control everything.

"Believe me or not, we always try to find solutions, but we need to respect the fact that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We're a sports organisation that tries to do its best with the means we have. If you want to criticise, criticise me it's okay, but please promote the unity that the World Cup provides."

It’s not the first incident involving the US government, FIFA, and immigration issues, with the Iranian national team not allowed to have their base camp in that country, despite playing all their matches there. 

Several staff members of the Iranian national team have also been banned from entering the USA, owing to the political hostilities between the two countries, but Infantino still counts the issue of Iran playing in the US as a victory for football...