Ahead of the start of the World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urges football fans and critics to “chill and relax,” responding to growing public and institutional pressure over tournament preparations. Multiple outlets report that the FIFA president adopts a defiant tone while defending FIFA’s handling of issues that have drawn scrutiny, particularly ticket pricing and visa problems affecting fans and teams. Infantino also addresses FIFA’s ability to secure participation from Iran, which is at war with one of the host countries, the United States, arguing that no one else could have managed that participation.
The remarks come as FIFA faces criticism from the United Nations, according to reports, related to immigration issues that have overshadowed the buildup to the tournament. Outlets also describe Infantino’s position that FIFA does not “rule the world” and that the organization is working to broker solutions within complex circumstances. Overall, the coverage portrays Infantino’s comments as an attempt to calm concerns while he publicly defends FIFA’s decisions and coordination efforts on the eve of the competition.
