The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has written to FIFA claiming that “many” Iranian and African journalists have been denied the necessary visas to cover the World Cup in the United States.
The letter, sent on June 5 and published on the AIPS website, was addressed to Bryan Swanson, FIFA’s director of media relations, and Jochen Steinhoff, FIFA’s head of media operations & services.
AIPS president Gianni Merlo wrote: “We find ourselves facing a long-standing and unacceptable problem for us journalists: the denial of entry visas to regularly accredited colleagues.
“There are many cases: Iranian colleagues, African colleagues, some of whom have been given single entries, so if their team goes to play in Canada or Mexico and they follow it, they can no longer return to the States. The cases are countless and, I repeat, unacceptable. Politicians always say that sport unites and builds bridges between young people in countries in conflict, but in this case, we are going in the opposite direction.
“We believe it is important to allow colleagues to attend the event and work, because their presence will be crucial to the image of sport and what it represents, especially in a country like the United States of America, where freedom of the press is a must.
“I hope FIFA can do everything possible to secure visas. We’re already significantly behind schedule, and many colleagues have already lost the opportunity to use plane tickets booked on time, and they’ll also face significant additional expenses.”
The U.S. State Department has been approached for comment.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed it has received the letter, adding that “the ability to enter host countries are ultimately consular and immigration matters.”
Multi-entry visas would be necessary particularly for teams who have group stage games in the United States but also Canada or Mexico.
Ivory Coast, for example, have a group game in Toronto sandwiched between two games in Philadelphia, while Senegal’s final group-stage game is in Toronto, and they may need to return to the U.S. for knockout games. Tunisia’s first two games will be in Mexico before their final group game in Kansas City.
AIPS ordinarily appear to have a strong working relationship with FIFA. Only in April, dozens of representatives from AIPS visited at FIFA’s Switzerland HQ. AIPS even gave FIFA an award for the Best Press Facilities Award for 2025, rewarding FIFA’s approach to press operations during the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. FIFA president Gianni Infantino attended only one press conference during the entire tournament.
“We appreciate and respect the important work of the media,” Swanson told delegates. “We understand journalists have a job to do in covering FIFA’s activities and we do what we can to support you, whether at our tournaments and events or elsewhere. All we ever ask is to be reported on with fairness and balance.”
The question of visas to enter the U.S. for the World Cup has been a major talking point since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year. He campaigned on the mass deportation of illegal immigrants and his administration has increased the stringency and vetting of visa applications. This has included travel bans implemented against nationals of four countries who have qualified for the World Cup: Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast. There are also some visa bond measures in place for Algeria, Cape Verde and Tunisia.
The travel bans include exemptions for athletes, support staff and immediate relatives of those who would compete at the World Cup – but not for travelling fans or media.
The situation once again places Infantino under the microscope, after he personally decided to award Trump a FIFA Peace Prize in December.
Only this week, following a meeting with Trump, Infantino wrote on Instagram: “America is ready to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and in today’s productive meeting, I thanked (Trump) and his Administration for their continued support of this truly global event.”
Speaking during Trump’s first term in 2017, while the U.S. was bidding to host the 2026 World Cup, Infantino said: “It’s obvious when it comes to FIFA competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup.”
Additionally, as part of the United States’ joint bid with Canada and Mexico to host the World Cup — dated May 2, 2018 — Trump wrote to Infantino and said he was confident that “all eligible athletes, officials and fans from all countries around the world would be able to enter the United States without discrimination”.
Throughout 2025, during the first year of Trump’s second presidency, Infantino repeatedly reiterated that “America will welcome the world”.
He said: “Everyone who wants to come here to enjoy, to have fun, and to celebrate the game will be able to do that.”
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told The Athletic on Saturday: “The United States is well prepared to welcome legitimate travelers from around the globe for the largest and greatest FIFA World Cup in history.
“At the same time, the Administration will not waver in upholding U.S. law and the highest standards of national security and public safety in the conduct of our visa process.
“We adjudicate each visa application on a case-by-case basis after rigorous review and thorough vetting to determine whether the individual is eligible under U.S. law.”
