African media quized FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Saturday to see if continental people will be safe and welcome in the United States at the 2026 World Cup.
African football fans are “a little unstable” about the current events in the US, and Infantino urged African visitors to the tournament not to feel “outcast…second class citizens.”
The FIFA leader reminded him that he met again Last week with US President Donald Trumpcurrently has a golden World Cup trophy in a glass case on the White House desk.
A South African reporter, home to FIFA vice president Patrice Mossepe, who sat by Infantino in a luxury hotel in Nairobi.
Motsepe is a South African brother-in-law, and President Cyril Ramaphosa is A tense visit to the White House In May, when Trump repeated his administration’s unfounded claims White farmer They are being killed systematically within the country.
African teams at the World Cup
At least nine African countries will participate in three in Mexico and two in Canada in 11 US cities, with 48 teams in the World Cup from June 11 to July 19. Egypt, Morocco and South Africa could qualify in October as current leaders of the qualification group.
The 10th African team was able to advance in the intercontinental playoffs scheduled after the tournament draw. Trump and Infantino were announced last week in the Oval Office on December 5th in the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
“Everyone will be welcome in North America for the World Cup next year,” said Infantino, whose long-standing relationship with Trump led him to Capitol Rotunda’s seat for the president’s inauguration in January.
“I think it’s important to make this clear. There are a lot of misconceptions there,” the FIFA leader said there are plenty of African media rooms.
Tickets and visas
Tickets for the 104 World Cup Game will be on sale on September 10th. No travel And then we look at a list of dozens of countries. Iran is already qualified and will play at least three games at the World Cup.
“I think you’re responsible,” a South African reporter told Infantino and Mossepe. The reporter’s identity was not immediately clear. The press conference took place on a coalition of African Football YouTube channels, who said he was originally from South Africa.
Infantino was previously spoken by a reporter.
Motsepe, a billionaire businessman who has led Africa’s football bodies since 2021, claimed that his modest work with US authorities has secured his commitment to running the World Cup smoothly.
“We are confident that we will meet the requirements they may have and we are sure there will be plenty of access for African fans at next year’s World Cup,” says Motsepe.
The Trump administration has made a promise to announce a travel ban in June Team and official exemptions Come to the soccer tournament and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, the outlook for fans is not very clear.
Infantino claimed that fans came from 164 countries to the one-month Club World Cup held in 11 U.S. cities in June and July “no problem” in 11 U.S. cities.
“The world needs an opportunity for unity,” said Infantino, who was told by Trump at the White House last week that he would not be able to come to the World Cup if the president didn’t send his troops to the city this month. Eight games are scheduled for June 12th at Sophie Stadium in Inglewood, including the opener for the US team.
“Be positive,” Infantino said in Kenya, “We can see that there is a great, amazing celebration of the best FIFA World Cup ever.”
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