In this current WORLD CUP, there are several actions of the US at the last minute that are GROSSLY UNJUST to some of the participating teams, and it is MOST DISAPPOINTING that FIFA did nothing about it - Should Giovanni "Gianni" Vincenzo Infantino, the FIFA President be KICKED OUT?
1. IRAN was a team that qualified, BUT Iran had to relocate its base camp to MEXICO despite having its games in the US - and then was only allowed to come to the US on the day of the match and return thereafter. This meant also that there was no time to 'acclimatize' to the venue that they had to play - and also no time to recover after the match. The 'fatigue' of travel also have to be considered - meaning the moment that IRAN got on the field to play any Opponent - they were already at a 'disadvantaged' position...
2. US also refused VISA for entry to the US to many support staff and officers of the Iran team > this would also significantly affect the IRAN team..
Multiple members of Iran's 2026 World Cup delegation—including federation officials and administrative staff—were denied entry into the United States. This occurred because the U.S. State Department cited national security restrictions, preventing individuals with alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) from entering the country.The U.S. government issued visas for the Iranian players and necessary coaching staff but strictly mandated that the team stay in Tijuana, Mexico, only flying into the U.S. directly for their matches and returning the same day
3. In fact, others like even a FIFA referee selected
Somali FIFA referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport on June 6, 2026. Despite holding a diplomatic passport and valid visa, he was barred from the country over U.S. Customs and Border Protection vetting concerns and "derogatory information" relating to suspected ties with terrorist organizations. Because of the travel ban and immigration policies, Artan was forced to return to Somalia and could not officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
WHAT FIFA could have done when these issues arose?
A. FIFA could strongly condemned US actions - this is, after all, expected conduct of any country hosting the FIFA World CUP - Every participating country should be accorded EQUAL treatment - thus we have a football competition on a level playing ground.
B. FIFA could have shifted all IRAN games to MEXICO or Canada for the first round - this could have been done in advance, so that all teams playing IRAN in the 1st round could have relocated to MEXICO or Canada too putting all teams in the same group in equal footing.
C. FIFA could also considered all subsequent games involving IRAN not to be played in US - this would have been better. Even the FINAL, if Iran was in it could have been done in Mexico or Canada.
D. FIFA can now award IRAN a 'Special Award' for being the MOST DISCRIMINATED TEAM IN WORLD CUP 2026 - hence also sending a STRONG message of disapproval of US, and a 'warning of all future WORLD CUP Hosts' - no HOST should deny entry to any qualified team and support staff, or impose conditions on where they should stay, when they can enter and leave for games...Would the next FIFA HOST country also do the same to competing teams now that FIFA has been 'silent' about what US did?
E. US commenced an illegal war on VENEZUELA last year, and then with ISRAEL commenced an unjustifiable war on IRAN, which is clearly in violation of International Law, and also the UN Charter. Should FIFA had acted then, and acted strongly by removing US as a venue for the World Cup - allowing Mexico and Canada to remain as host then? By continuing as though 'nothing is wrong', did FIFA do wrong? Now, the US showed its 'true colours' in imposing restrictions on participating teams and also FIFA referees - will Fifa and its President continue on as though all is WELL...
E. With regard to Somali FIFA referee Omar Artan, FIFA should have made a stronger stance - as this was a FIFA Referee and surely the names of all Fifa Referees and staff should have long ago been provided to US - this referee was allowed to travel to US, and then was prevented entry in US. If he was to be prevented entry to US, it could have been done long before. ANYWAY, Fifa should have asked him to go to MEXICO or CANADA, and re-assigned his tasks to referee games in these countries - NOT US. Why did not FIFA do so?
IRAN may not have moved on to the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals or the FINALS - but what is MOST IMPORTANT is that no participating team in the World Cup should have been treated indiscriminately by the HOST country.
An ODD offside rule - 1st time used against IRAN - the "second-last defender," offside rule > so even if goal keeper is no longer the last defender, the last defender is considered, and so the off-side rule looks at the attacker in relation to the second last defender - First time I heard of this - see report below,...Why offside was called on Iran goal in controversial ending vs. Egypt to deny World Cup win
WHY should we remove Gianni Infantino as President of FIFA?
Infantino insisted he had no regrets over Fifa awarding hosting rights to the US, which will stage 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, despite fans from four competing countries being hit with travel bans and the Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry .. focus on football before addressing what he described as the three main issues: ticket prices, Iran and immigration to the United States...Artan’s exclusion led the UN to call for an American rethink on immigration earlier in the day, but Infantino defended the US’s right to control its borders despite having previously promised that this would be the most inclusive World Cup ever.
1st - because of how he handled this World Cup - IRAN, the Fifa Referree issue, and maybe others including Fans who were denied entry to US to watch the WORLD CUP..
2nd - Of the fact, that FIFA gave TRUMP a FIFA Peace award in December 2025 > and failed to withdraw it
Donald Trump has been named the first winner of the newly created Fifa peace prize, claiming “the world is a safer place now” as he received the award at the draw for the 2026 World Cup in Washington DC. - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/05/fifa-peace-prize-trump-world-cup-infantino
3rd - How could he suddenly call up and ask The Palestinian Football Association’s president, Jibril Rajoub, to shake hands/hug the Israel FA’s vice-president, Basim Sheikh Suliman in April 2026 when the Zionist Israeli was still continuing to kill Palestinians - more than 70,000 now? And was it not all a 'publicity stunt' before he announced he was standing again for FIFA President? Was it to show that FIFA was apolitical - but then the recent failure to CONDEMN US treatment of Iran and some other competing statements - may show FIFA as being pro-US and maybe just too INDIFFERENT to the injustices happening in the world that affects players and also football fans?
FIFA represents all footballing nations - and can FIFA IGNORE the injustices caused by TRUMP, and also within the recent World Cup - Should FIFA withdraw the FIFA Peace Award that it awarded to TRUMP - I think YES > it is within the power of those who gave an AWARD to also withdraw the award...
REMEMBER Malaysia too that won against Vietnam also had the VICTORY withdrawn because Malaysia broke FIFA laws... Likewise in Malaysia, the King also revoked
The “Tan Sri” title conferred on former Felda chairman Isa Samad, who is serving a jail sentence for corruption, has been revoked by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. - FMT, 11/6/2026
Malaysia (or FAM) should move FIFA to revoke Trump's FIFA Peace award.
Gianni Infantino tells football fans to ‘chill’ in response to Fifa’s critics
Fifa president defends handling of tournament
‘Screaming and shouting does not find a solution’
Gianni Infantino told football fans to “chill and relax” on the eve of the World Cup, while Fifa faced criticism from the United Nations over the immigration issues that have overshadowed the buildup to the tournament.
The Fifa president launched a staunch defence of his organisation’s handling of the tournament, particularly regarding ticket prices and visa problems, and claimed no one else would have been able to secure the participation of Iran, who are at war with one of the three host nations, the United States.
Infantino plays the hits as Fifa’s defender-in-chief on eve of World Cup
Infantino insisted he had no regrets over Fifa awarding hosting rights to the US, which will stage 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, despite fans from four competing countries being hit with travel bans and the Somali referee Omar Artan being denied entry at Miami airport this week.
“We don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth,” Infantino said. “We have to respect that we are not kings of the world, who can rule over governments and police forces. We are a sports organisation that does as much as we can. It’s important sometimes to chill, relax. We work on everything. Sometimes screaming and shouting does not find a solution.”
Infantino began with a 35-minute monologue in which he urged the media to focus on football before addressing what he described as the three main issues: ticket prices, Iran and immigration to the United States.
The 56-year-old, who has been widely criticised for Fifa’s lack of transparency, then gave lengthy answers to the handful of questions that were permitted over a further 40 minutes before departing the stage with a wish that his audience enjoy the tournament.
Artan’s exclusion led the UN to call for an American rethink on immigration earlier in the day, but Infantino defended the US’s right to control its borders despite having previously promised that this would be the most inclusive World Cup ever.
“In 2035 we hope the Women’s World Cup will be in the United Kingdom,” he said. “Would you find it normal that Fifa would dictate to the British government who to let into the country?
“Unfortunately we live in an aggressive world and security goes above everything.
“When I say chill I don’t mean sit and do nothing. I mean trust us that we are trying to find solutions. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we are not.”
Infantino was equally robust in defence of Fifa’s ticket pricing, claiming that if they were cheaper the majority would have been resold on the black market, and that the money generated was required to fund football in poor countries all over the world.
“Until today we have sold over six million tickets,” he said. “The demand has been unprecedented, not by a little bit, but by a factor of 10 or more.
“The World Cup is a unique event that takes place every four years, and when you’re in one country you need to deal with local habits and local customs. Our entry price at $60 is the lowest of all the American sports in the playoff phases. Our average price of $500 is lower than the average price for American playoffs. You can at least compare the World Cup with the playoffs. When we put tickets on sale on the secondary market they are sold at a much higher price, which shows the original price was accurate.
“What’s most important in all of this is that every dollar we generate goes back into football. If we were selling our TV rights to pay-TV, like everyone else, we would generate four times as much revenue. And we could give all the tickets away, but they would still end up on the black market.
“As Fifa president we have to strike a balance. We invest in countries where no one else does – South Sudan, Bhutan. No one else is doing this.”
Infantino also claimed credit for the participation of Iran despite the fact that they have been forced to move their training camp to Mexico with many of their backroom team denied entry to the US, and ended with a personal note of thanks to Donald Trump.
“I went to see the Iran team in Turkey in March when people were saying it would be impossible for them to come,” he said. “I told them they would come and if I had to take a bus to Iran and drive them here, I would. They said they would drive the bus themselves. I don’t know who else in these circumstances would have made sure that Iran would come and play.
“I’m very proud of my team and grateful to the administrations of all three host countries. I have a great relationship with President Trump. Without his engagement it would have been impossible to organise a World Cup in the United States. He understood immediately the magnitude of the World Cup and he helped to assist.” - Guardian, 10/6/2026
Why offside was called on Iran goal in controversial ending vs. Egypt to deny World Cup win
Billy Heyen
Why offside was called on Iran goal in controversial ending vs. Egypt to deny World Cup win originally appeared on The Sporting News.
There was still a defender behind the ball when Iran scored the goal that seemed like it would get them a FIFA World Cup win on Friday night.
Offside was called after a VAR review. The goal was disallowed. The match with Egypt ended in a 1-1 draw.
On screenshots of the play, it's confusing for most fans of the game.
There was clearly an Egypt defender deeper than the attacking player when the ball was hit in his direction.
But that's not actually how the whole rule works.
Why was it offside on Iran?
The rule actually refers to the "second-last defender," because the goalkeeper is almost always behind the play.
On this play, though, Egypt's goalie had come out of his net, and he's no longer the last defender.
So the defender behind the ball more or less becomes like the goalie for the interpretation of this rule.
And because there wasn't a second player there, it's offside.
It's a brutal break. It's unlucky. There's nothing Iran could've really done differently here.
But sometimes, the depths of the rulebook work out in your favor, and sometimes they don't.
Here, Iran was the one so close to a glorious moment, one that was taken away by replay and a sneaky rule. - The Sporting News, 27/6/2026
Gianni Infantino’s attempt at Israel-Palestine handshake backfires
Jibril Rajoub refuses handshake at Fifa congress
Infantino to seek third term as president
The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, confirmed his intention to stand for re-election for a third full term next year after an attempt to orchestrate a handshake between the Palestinian and Israeli delegates at the governing body’s congress backfired.
The Palestinian Football Association’s president, Jibril Rajoub, refused to stand alongside the Israel FA’s vice-president, Basim Sheikh Suliman, in an awkward moment towards the end of the 76th Fifa congress after both men had been called to the stage in Vancouver by Infantino.
Several sources in the congress hall suggested that Infantino, who created the Fifa peace prize last year which he awarded to Donald Trump, had wanted to stage a photoshoot before announcing his candidacy.
Infantino shrugged off the palpable embarrassment of those present to announce the worst-kept secret in sport, that he will seek re-election next year. The election will take place at the Fifa congress in Rabat, Morocco, and he is unlikely to face any opposition.
Infantino was first elected as a reform candidate to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter in 2016, but is likely to stay in post for 15 years after Fifa’s statutes were altered so that only full terms counted towards the three-term limit.
“I want to confirm I will be a candidate for the election for Fifa president next year,” Infantino said. “I wanted you to be the first to know. Thanks for your encouragement and support.”
Infantino has increasingly looked to portray himself as an international statesman in recent years, but the exchange between Rajoub and Suliman illustrated the limits of his diplomatic powers. After Rajoub declined to do his bidding, Infantino returned to the stage and said: “We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice-president Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters.” - Guardian. 30/4/2026
Iran hit out at ‘lies and mistreatment’ following US official’s joy at team’s exit
Iran responds to US homeland security secretary comments
‘I was so happy when we said they could leave US soil’
Iran’s football federation has responded to a senior US official celebrating their exit from the World Cup by accusing the co-hosts of peddling “lies”, saying they are “used to mistreatment”.
On Monday, the US homeland security secretary, Markwayne Mullin said he
performed a “happy dance” and “sung a song or two” after Iran failed to
qualify for the last 32.
Mullin, speaking at a briefing at the government’s special event
coordination centre in Washington, said: “I’m just glad they’re [Iran]
done, and they’re not coming back.
“I was so happy when we were able to pull their visas and said they
could leave the US soil, and I might’ve sung a song or two or maybe even
danced a happy dance. I’m very happy they’re going back because there
wasn’t a single team that we dealt with more than them.”
Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, argued his team were the “most
oppressed” at the tournament in his first press conference and, after
their final Group G match in Seattle, Iran’s captain, Mehdi Taremi,
intimated the US would rather Iran not advance to the knockout stage.
“We
have to fight against everything here,” Taremi said after last Friday’s
draw against Egypt. “I don’t know if people want it or not, but as we
see it by our perspective, yeah, they are like that I think.”
Ghalenoei said on numerous occasions that the treatment of his staff
and players was unfair. Eleven of Iran’s wider team, including the
Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) president, Mehdi Taj, were denied visas by the US authorities.
They were also angry about their travel arrangements imposed by the US.
On the eve of the tournament they were forced to move their training
base, relocating from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.
Responding to Mullin’s comments, a spokesperson for the FFIRI said:
“Iranians are used to the mistreatment and lies of US officials, so no
one in Iran is surprised by these hostile remarks. These remarks once
again demonstrate that US officials have no commitment to international
law or the principles expected of a host nation capable of organising a
global sporting event.
“The fact that he openly celebrates Iran’s elimination says far more about him than it does about our team. It reflects a level of pettiness that cannot even tolerate the presence of a football team competing on the world’s biggest stage.
“After our match against New Zealand, our head coach said that the
United States did not want Iran to remain in this tournament because of
the inhumane and unprofessional treatment our team experienced. These
latest comments only reinforce that belief.”
Iran left a handwritten note in Tijuana to thank locals for the warm
hospitality and also make their feelings clear on the US. “You showed us
that hosting a Fifa World Cup is about far more than stadiums and
tickets,” it read. “True hosting is about respect, humanity, and
dignity. We leave this World Cup with pride, but also with one
fundamental question: Did every team truly compete under equal
conditions and equal professional standards?” - Guardian, 30/6/2026
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