With just one day remaining until the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has forcefully defended the tournament’s ticket pricing structure and pushed back against criticism over recent visa denials, including the high-profile case of a Somali referee barred from entering the United States.

Speaking at a final press conference before the opening match, Infantino argued that the cost of attending World Cup matches remains fair when compared to other major sporting events on American soil.

He noted that the average ticket price is under five hundred dollars, with entry-level seats for group stage matches starting at sixty dollars for specific supporter allocations and one hundred forty dollars for general sale. According to Infantino, those figures are actually lower than the price of playoff tickets in established American sports leagues.

He further suggested that lowering prices further would only benefit scalpers and secondary markets, insisting that revenue from ticket sales is reinvested directly into football development worldwide.

The FIFA president also addressed growing frustration over travel and entry complications that have affected players, officials, and fans attempting to enter the host nations the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The most prominent incident involved Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the US despite holding a valid visa. Infantino described the situation as unfortunate but urged the public to remain calm.

He emphasized that FIFA is not the kings of the world and cannot override the sovereign decisions of host governments, particularly those related to national security protocols.

He did, however, express confidence that the vast majority of travelers would experience smooth entry procedures.

The 2026 tournament marks the first edition to feature forty-eight teams competing in one hundred four matches across three North American countries.

The expanded format has already drawn scrutiny over logistics, travel distances, and stadium readiness, but Infantino brushed aside those concerns. He praised the collaborative efforts of all three host nations and specifically thanked former US President Donald Trump for his role in helping bring the event together, though he did not provide specific details on that cooperation.

As the final countdown continues, fans holding tickets for Thursday’s opening match have begun arriving at stadiums, while thousands more remain on waitlists for late-release seats. Whether the combination of premium pricing and tightened visa enforcement will dampen attendance remains to be seen, but FIFA has made clear it stands by both policies.

Infantino closed his remarks by reiterating that the organization has followed all legal requirements and that the focus should now shift to the football itself.