FIFA President Tells World to "Chill" as Fans and Referees Banned from US

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has a simple message for critics of the 2026 World Cup: relax and trust us. His comments come as multiple teams and fans face entry problems in the United States. Last week, a top referee from Somalia was sent home as soon as he landed in the country. Fans from Iran, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti have also been blocked from entering. Iran’s team must now train in Tijuana, Mexico, and cross the border just to play their matches. "Chill, relax," Infantino told reporters. "Relax and trust in FIFA." This is the same organization that forced Brazil to change its laws in 2014 to allow easy entry for tourists and sponsors. Critics say FIFA is now only helping people leave the country, not enter. Outside the opening ceremony in Mexico City, police kept protesters far from the stadium. Teachers and families of the disappeared—over 130,000 people according to official records—demonstrated against the government. The protests reminded many of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, held under a military dictatorship. Meanwhile, inside the stadium, actress Salma Hayek posed with Infantino as he held the World Cup trophy. A tweet comparing the photo to a scene from her 1996 film went viral, getting over one million views. As the first match began, Spanish state television wrote "Méjico" with a "j" instead of an "x," sparking debate about colonial language. When Curacao plays, no one knows where that island is—or how the broadcaster will spell it.