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With the 2026 World Cup now days away, comments made by FIFA president Gianni Infantino less than a year ago are facing renewed scrutiny as concerns over visas, border entry and travel restrictions continue to emerge.
Last summer, Infantino sought to dismiss fears surrounding access to the tournament, insisting supporters from around the world would be welcomed across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
What did Gianni Infantino tell fans about 2026 World Cup entry fears?
Speaking in August 2025, the FIFA chief said: “Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year.
“There is a process to go through to get visas and so on. This process will be smooth.”
Infantino also described the tournament as an opportunity to unite people from around the world, adding that football should bring nations, fans and communities together.
However, those assurances have become increasingly difficult to square with events in the weeks leading up to the competition.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was selected by FIFA as one of the officials for the tournament, was reportedly denied entry to the United States despite being appointed to work at the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Switzerland striker Breel Embolo was unable to travel with his national team after his ESTA authorisation was placed under review.
Those cases have added to wider concerns raised by supporters from several nations over visa delays, travel restrictions and uncertainty surrounding entry requirements.
FGG says: This is exactly why Infantino's comments have aged so badly
The issue is not that FIFA can control every visa decision made by governments – they clearly can't. The problem is that Infantino spoke with absolute certainty.
When you promise that “everyone will be welcome” and that the process will be “smooth”, you create expectations that were always going to be difficult to guarantee.
Now, with referees, players and supporters encountering entry complications, those comments look increasingly detached from reality.
It is important to stress that every individual case is different and not all reported issues are directly FIFA's responsibility, but that is exactly why the original statement feels so naive in hindsight.
For many fans, the 2026 World Cup is already becoming remembered as the most expensive and logistically complicated tournament in history. Ticket pricing controversies, travel costs, accommodation concerns and now entry issues have all contributed to that perception.
Football supporters simply wanted reassurance. Instead, many will feel they were sold a promise that was never fully within FIFA's power to deliver.