World Cup 2026 live: Gianni Infantino says ‘chill, relax’ after referee was denied entry to US – UK Times

Months before World Cup 2026 got underway, senior figures within Fifa already found the planning hadn’t been going “as expected”. And that’s saying something. When the hosting of Canada-Mexico-USA was confirmed back in 2018, after all, the widespread feeling in football circles was that it was a return to the “familiar”.

Two of the countries had already hosted three of the most successful World Cups of all, and the promise in the bid-book was that this would be “low-risk and operational certainty”. It of course greatly aided such feelings that another promise was about record revenue projections of $14bn.

England’s final warm-up is edging closer.

DEF: James, Konsa, Stones, O’Reilly

MID: Anderson, Rice, Bellingham

FWD: Madueke, Kane, Gordon

Okay, with that press conference in the books, attention turns to England’s warm-up game with Costa Rica.

That friendly in Orlando, Florida, was delayed from 9pm BST to 10pm BST due to heavy rain and lightning.

“FifPro and Fifa have reached a historic agreement that introduces unprecedented advancements for football players worldwide. For the first time, FifPro will have representation on the Fifa Council with speaking rights, while also participating in several key decision-making bodies within world football.

“The agreement also establishes that players will receive a direct economic share of the value generated by their transfers, with a mandatory minimum payment equal to 5% of the transfer fee for the vast majority of professional male and female players.

“In addition, it includes measures aimed at ensuring better rest periods, strengthening protection against match congestion, and providing greater safeguards in cases of salary payment defaults by clubs.

Sergio Marchi, President of FifPro World, highlighted that these are ‘historic reforms’ that strengthen players’ rights and improve their working conditions. He also emphasized that ‘today we leave behind years of confrontation and open a new chapter of cooperation, responsibility, and shared ambition for the future of professional football’.”

So, there you have it, the press conference is done.

Almost two hours of talking from Infantino, who defended issues with Visas and insisted that Fifa is keeping a “positive” mindset while trying to solve all issues.

Perhaps the most notable moment saw him urge everyone to “chill, relax” after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the US.

The Trump administration said the US had denied Artan entry for the World Cup due to his links to “suspected members of terror organisations”.